Perforation of bile duct

This code signifies a breach or rupture in the wall of a bile duct, allowing bile to leak into surrounding tissues. This can be a serious complication leading to peritonitis or abscess formation. It represents a structural defect rather than an inflammatory process alone.

Use this code when documentation explicitly states a perforation of any part of the biliary tree, such as the common bile duct, hepatic ducts, or cystic duct. This often occurs as a complication of cholecystectomy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), trauma, or severe cholecystitis.

• Distinguish from bile duct obstruction (K83.0) or cholangitis (K83.0) unless perforation is also present.
• Always look for an underlying cause or associated condition, such as a procedure complication (T81.2xxA, T85.7xxA) or trauma (S36.11x).
• Code any resulting peritonitis (K65.0) or abscess (K68.11) separately, following sequencing guidelines for complications.