Complete traumatic amputation of nose, initial encounter

This code signifies the complete severance of the entire nose from the face due to a traumatic injury. This is a severe and disfiguring injury, often resulting from high-impact trauma, and involves the loss of all nasal tissues, including bone, cartilage, and skin.

Apply this code for the initial treatment of a patient presenting with a complete traumatic avulsion of the nose. Documentation should clearly state "complete amputation" or "total avulsion" of the nose, specifying the traumatic nature of the injury and that this is the first encounter for this specific injury.

• Ensure documentation specifies "complete" amputation; partial amputations are coded differently.
• Verify the encounter type is "initial" for the 'A' seventh character. Subsequent care would require different seventh characters.
• Always sequence this code as a primary diagnosis when it is the reason for the encounter.