Laceration of axillary artery, right side, initial encounter

This code signifies a tear or cut in the main artery located in the right armpit region. This injury typically results in significant bleeding and can compromise blood flow to the right upper extremity. It requires immediate medical attention due to the potential for severe complications.

Apply this code for patients presenting with a documented laceration of the right axillary artery, often due to penetrating trauma such as a stab wound, gunshot wound, or severe fracture. This code is appropriate for the initial treatment phase of the injury.

• Ensure documentation specifies "laceration" and not another type of injury (e.g., contusion, puncture).
• Verify the laterality is explicitly "right side" as separate codes exist for the left and unspecified sides.
• Confirm this is the "initial encounter" for treatment of the injury; subsequent encounters will use different seventh characters.