2025 ICD-10-CM code K65.9
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Diseases of the digestive system - Diseases of peritoneum and retroperitoneum Diseases of the digestive system Feed
Peritonitis, unspecified; inflammation of the peritoneum.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the encounter and services rendered. Consult appropriate modifier guidelines.
Medical necessity for K65.9 is established by the presence of clinical findings and diagnostic evidence consistent with peritonitis.Treatment is medically necessary to manage symptoms, prevent complications such as sepsis and shock, and improve patient outcomes.Appropriate documentation is crucial to demonstrate medical necessity.
Diagnosis and management of peritonitis, including identifying the underlying cause, administering appropriate treatments (e.g., antibiotics, fluids, surgery), monitoring vital signs, and managing complications.
In simple words: This code means inflammation of the thin lining inside your belly.The lining is called the peritoneum.The inflammation can happen for various reasons, and doctors use this code when they don't know the exact cause.
K65.9, Peritonitis, unspecified, refers to the inflammation of the peritoneum, the serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity and covering the abdominal organs.This code is used when the specific cause or type of peritonitis is unknown or cannot be determined.Peritonitis can result from various etiologies, including infection (bacterial, fungal), injury, or certain diseases. Symptoms often include abdominal pain and tenderness, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension.It is a serious condition requiring prompt medical attention.
Example 1: A patient presents with severe abdominal pain, fever, and rebound tenderness.Laboratory tests reveal elevated white blood cell count.After diagnostic imaging and exploratory laparotomy, bacterial peritonitis is confirmed, and the patient is treated with intravenous antibiotics and fluid resuscitation., A patient undergoing peritoneal dialysis develops signs and symptoms of peritonitis, including cloudy dialysate fluid.Cultures reveal a bacterial infection.Treatment involves changing the dialysis catheter and administering targeted antibiotics., A patient with a perforated bowel is admitted to the hospital with signs of peritonitis.Emergency surgery is performed to repair the bowel perforation and clean the peritoneal cavity. Post-operative management includes antibiotics and supportive care.
Complete history and physical examination, including details of symptoms (e.g., abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting),results of diagnostic testing (e.g., complete blood count, blood cultures, imaging studies such as abdominal X-ray, CT scan, ultrasound), surgical findings (if applicable), and the course of treatment.Documentation should support the diagnosis and justify the medical necessity of the services provided.If infectious, detailed information about the organism is recommended.
** This code encompasses various types of peritonitis, including primary (spontaneous bacterial peritonitis) and secondary peritonitis.Accurate coding necessitates a detailed clinical picture to rule out other conditions with similar presentations.The severity of peritonitis ranges from mild to life-threatening. Always reference the latest version of ICD-10-CM coding guidelines.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:General Surgery, Gastroenterology, Infectious Disease
- Place of Service:Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, Emergency Room - Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center