Acute pulmonary insufficiency following nonthoracic surgery

This code describes a sudden and severe impairment of lung function, characterized by inadequate gas exchange, that develops as a direct complication after a surgical procedure performed on a body part other than the chest. It signifies a post-operative respiratory failure that is not directly related to the surgical site itself, but rather a systemic response or complication.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates acute respiratory insufficiency or failure occurring after a non-thoracic surgical procedure, such as an abdominal surgery, orthopedic surgery, or neurosurgery. The patient will typically present with symptoms like dyspnea, hypoxemia, and hypercapnia, requiring respiratory support.

• Ensure the surgery performed was explicitly non-thoracic to differentiate from pulmonary complications of thoracic surgery.
• Distinguish from I97.0 or I97.1-, which are used for functional disturbances specifically following cardiac surgery.
• Always sequence this code after the code for the underlying non-thoracic surgical complication or the primary reason for admission, if applicable.