Laceration without foreign body of vocal cord, sequela

This code signifies a long-term effect or complication arising from a past laceration of the vocal cord, where no foreign object was involved at the time of the original injury. It describes residual issues such as scarring, voice changes, or other persistent symptoms directly attributable to the healed vocal cord laceration. The "S" at the end indicates that this is a sequela code, meaning it's used for complications or conditions that arise as a direct result of an injury or illness that has already healed.

Use this code when documenting a patient presenting with a current condition or symptom that is a direct consequence of a previously sustained vocal cord laceration without a foreign body. Documentation should clearly link the current complaint to the old injury and specify that the acute phase of the laceration has passed. This code is appropriate for follow-up visits addressing chronic voice hoarseness, dysphonia, or other persistent vocal cord dysfunction resulting from the prior trauma.

• Always sequence this code after the code(s) describing the specific sequela (e.g., dysphonia, vocal cord paralysis).
• Ensure documentation explicitly states the current condition is a "sequela," "due to old injury," or "residual effect" of a vocal cord laceration.
• Do not use this code for an acute vocal cord laceration; instead, use the appropriate acute injury code.