Gastric contents in pharynx causing other injury, sequela

This code indicates a long-term or residual health problem resulting from gastric contents (stomach acid, food, etc.) entering the pharynx and causing damage. This injury is not a foreign body aspiration into the respiratory tract, but rather a direct chemical or mechanical injury to the pharyngeal tissues themselves.

Use this code when documenting a chronic condition, such as persistent pharyngitis, stricture, or other lasting damage to the pharynx, that is directly attributed to a past event of gastric reflux or emesis into the pharynx. This code is appropriate for follow-up encounters after the initial acute injury has resolved but its effects persist.

• This code requires a 7th character "S" to denote sequela, indicating a late effect of the initial injury.
• Do not use this code for acute events of gastric contents in the pharynx; instead, use an acute injury code.
• Consider using additional codes to specify the exact nature of the "other injury" to the pharynx, if known.