Laceration without foreign body of left ear, sequela

This code indicates a past injury to the left ear involving a tear or cut in the skin and underlying tissues, where no foreign object was embedded at the time of the initial injury. The "sequela" designation signifies that this code is used to report a late effect or complication directly resulting from that previous laceration, rather than the acute injury itself.

Use this code when documenting a current condition or symptom that is a direct consequence of a resolved laceration of the left ear, such as scarring, disfigurement, chronic pain, or nerve damage. The patient's medical record should clearly link the current complaint to a previously treated left ear laceration without a foreign body.

• Always sequence this sequela code first, followed by a code describing the specific late effect (e.g., scar, disfigurement).
• Distinguish carefully between acute lacerations (initial encounter) and sequelae; this code is only for late effects.
• Ensure documentation specifies "left ear" and confirms the absence of a foreign body in the original injury.