Female pelvic peritoneal adhesions (postinfective)

This code represents the formation of fibrous bands within the female pelvic peritoneum resulting from a prior infection. These adhesions can cause chronic pelvic pain, infertility, or bowel obstruction by tethering organs together. The "postinfective" designation indicates the etiology is a previous inflammatory process, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

Use this code when documentation clearly states female pelvic peritoneal adhesions are present and explicitly links their origin to a past infection. Common scenarios include patients with a history of PID presenting with chronic pelvic pain or infertility, where imaging or surgical findings confirm the adhesions. Documentation should specify the infectious etiology.

• Ensure the documentation explicitly states the adhesions are "postinfective" or provides a clear link to a prior infection.
• Do not use this code for adhesions resulting from surgery; refer to N99.4 for postprocedural adhesions.
• Consider sequencing this code after the underlying infectious condition if it is still active and being treated.