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2025 ICD-10-CM code T17.4

Foreign body in the trachea.

Refer to the official ICD-10-CM coding guidelines for proper coding of this diagnosis.

Not applicable to ICD-10 codes.

Medical necessity is established by the presence of a foreign body in the trachea, causing respiratory distress and requiring medical intervention for removal.

The clinical responsibility depends on the setting. In an emergency department, it would be the emergency physician. In an operating room, it would be the surgeon. Respiratory therapists may be involved in the management.

IMPORTANT:Use additional codes to specify the type of foreign body (e.g., food, toy) and any resulting complications (e.g., pneumonia, respiratory failure).Consider codes from Chapter 20 (External causes of morbidity) to identify the cause of the injury.If a retained foreign body is present, code Z18.- may be applicable.

In simple words: This code means something is stuck in the windpipe (trachea).This can make it hard to breathe and may cause coughing or other breathing problems.

This code signifies the presence of a foreign body obstructing the trachea (windpipe).The foreign body may be of various types and sizes, causing varying degrees of respiratory compromise.Appropriate additional codes should be used to specify the type of foreign body and any related complications.

Example 1: A 2-year-old child aspirates a small toy part into their trachea, resulting in acute respiratory distress.T17.4 is coded, along with codes from Chapter 20 to specify the cause (accident)., A 65-year-old patient with a history of dysphagia chokes on a piece of food which becomes lodged in their trachea. T17.4 is coded, and additional codes are used for aspiration pneumonia if it develops., A construction worker inhales a piece of debris into their trachea during work. T17.4 is coded, along with codes specifying the work-related injury.

Complete documentation should include the patient's history of the event, symptoms (e.g., coughing, dyspnea, wheezing), the type and location of the foreign body, treatment provided (e.g., bronchoscopy, surgical removal), and the patient's response to the treatment.

** Always ensure that the documentation supports the coded diagnosis.If there's uncertainty, consult additional resources or a coding specialist.

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