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2025 ICD-10-CM code T81.82

Subcutaneous emphysema resulting from a medical procedure.

Always use an additional code from Chapter 20 (External causes of morbidity and mortality) to indicate the cause of the injury.Also, code any retained foreign body (Z18.-).

The medical necessity for coding T81.82 is established when subcutaneous emphysema directly results from a documented medical procedure. The presence of subcutaneous emphysema is confirmed through clinical examination and radiological findings. Treatment might include observation, supportive care, or surgical intervention, depending on severity.

The clinical responsibility for this code falls upon the physician or healthcare provider performing the procedure that led to the subcutaneous emphysema. This includes the surgeon, anesthesiologist, or other relevant medical personnel involved in the procedure.

IMPORTANT:Consider additional codes from Chapter 20 (External causes of morbidity) to specify the cause of the injury.If a retained foreign body is involved, use an additional code from Z18.-.

In simple words: This code is for when someone develops air under their skin after a medical procedure. This causes swelling and a crackling feeling. It happens when air leaks from the lungs or airways during the procedure.

This code classifies subcutaneous emphysema as a complication arising from a medical procedure.Subcutaneous emphysema is the presence of air under the skin, causing swelling and a crackling sensation.This condition is typically caused by a break in the lung tissue or air passages allowing air to leak into surrounding tissues. In the context of this code, the air leak is a direct consequence of a medical procedure.

Example 1: A patient undergoes a lung biopsy, and during the procedure, a small air leak occurs, resulting in subcutaneous emphysema in the chest region. , A patient receives a central line placement, and accidental puncture of the lung during the procedure causes subcutaneous emphysema in the neck and chest., Following a surgical procedure involving the chest cavity, a patient develops subcutaneous emphysema due to air leakage at the surgical site.

Detailed operative report describing the procedure and any complications encountered.Radiological imaging (chest X-ray, CT scan) confirming the presence and extent of subcutaneous emphysema.Physician's notes documenting the patient's symptoms, examination findings, and treatment plan.

** This code is for subcutaneous emphysema specifically resulting from a procedure. It is crucial to accurately document the causal relationship between the procedure and the development of the condition.Differentiation from other causes of subcutaneous emphysema is necessary for proper coding.

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