Abrasion of left back wall of thorax, sequela

This code signifies a superficial injury to the skin, specifically an abrasion, located on the left posterior aspect of the chest wall. The "sequela" designation indicates that this abrasion is a residual effect or complication of an earlier injury or condition, rather than an acute, initial event.

This code is appropriate for documenting an abrasion on the left back wall of the thorax that is a long-term consequence of a previous injury. It would be used when the patient presents for follow-up care related to the lingering effects of an old wound, such as a scar that has abraded, or a chronic skin breakdown.

• Ensure the documentation clearly specifies the left side of the back wall of the thorax.
• Verify that the abrasion is indeed a sequela and not an acute injury; if acute, a different code would be appropriate.
• Always code the underlying cause of the sequela, if known and applicable, in addition to this code.