2025 ICD-10-CM code T17.3
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Revision Date: N/A Deletion Date: N/A Injury - Foreign body in respiratory tract Chapter 19: Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88) Feed
Foreign body in the larynx.
Modifiers may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the procedure, such as the location and setting of the service.
Medical necessity for treatment of a foreign body in the larynx is established by the presence of symptoms such as respiratory distress, airway obstruction, or other life-threatening conditions.Documentation must clearly demonstrate the need for removal to alleviate these symptoms and prevent potential complications.
The clinical responsibility involves identifying and removing the foreign body from the larynx, managing any respiratory distress, and providing appropriate post-procedure care.This may involve an ENT specialist or other physician skilled in airway management.
- Chapter 19: Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
- T17-T19: Effects of foreign body entering through natural orifice
In simple words: This code means something is stuck in your larynx (voice box).This can cause problems with breathing and can be very dangerous.
This code classifies the presence of a foreign body in the larynx, the voice box located between the pharynx and trachea.The foreign body could be any substance or object that obstructs or irritates the larynx, potentially causing respiratory distress.Appropriate supplementary codes should be used to specify the type of foreign body and the external cause of the injury (Chapter 20, External causes of morbidity).If a retained foreign body is present, use additional code (Z18.-).
Example 1: A 2-year-old child inhales a small toy part, resulting in airway obstruction and requiring emergency removal of the foreign body from the larynx., An adult experiences sudden onset of dyspnea and stridor due to a piece of food lodging in their larynx during a meal, requiring immediate medical intervention., A patient presents with chronic cough and hoarseness due to a small, unnoticed foreign body that has been lodged in their larynx for some time.Bronchoscopy is necessary to remove the object.
Thorough documentation should include details of the foreign body (type, size, location), the mechanism of injury, the presenting symptoms (dyspnea, stridor, cough, hoarseness), the diagnostic methods used (laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy, imaging), the procedure for removal, and the patient's response to treatment.
** This code should be used only when a foreign body is present in the larynx.Other codes may be necessary to describe associated injuries or complications.
- Payment Status: Active
- Specialties:Otolaryngology, Emergency Medicine, Pulmonology
- Place of Service:Emergency Room - Hospital, Office, Inpatient Hospital