Open bite of abd wall, unsp q w/o penet perit cav, sequela

This code signifies a healed or residual effect from an open wound of the abdominal wall that did not involve penetration into the peritoneal cavity. The specific quadrant of the abdomen is not documented or is unknown. This code is used when the initial injury has resolved, but there are lasting consequences.

Apply this code when documenting a follow-up encounter for a patient with a sequela (e.g., scar, chronic pain, functional limitation) resulting from a past open abdominal wall injury. This is appropriate when the original wound was not specified to a particular quadrant and did not breach the peritoneum.

• Always use a seventh character of 'S' for sequela when the initial injury has healed.
• Ensure documentation clearly states the injury is an "open bite" and specifies "without penetration into peritoneal cavity."
• If the specific quadrant is known, a more precise code from the S31.15- series should be used.