Corrosion of third degree of forehead and cheek, sequela

This code signifies a third-degree chemical burn (corrosion) affecting the forehead and cheek, where the acute injury has healed and the patient is now experiencing a late effect or complication. Third-degree burns involve full-thickness skin destruction, often leading to significant scarring, contractures, or other long-term issues.

Apply this code when documenting a patient presenting with a chronic condition or complication directly resulting from a third-degree chemical burn to the forehead and/or cheek that occurred in the past. Examples include scar revision, management of contractures, or ongoing pain related to the healed burn. Do not use for the initial acute injury.

• Always assign an additional code to describe the specific sequela (e.g., scar, contracture, chronic pain).
• Ensure documentation clearly links the current condition to the past third-degree chemical burn of the specified facial areas.
• The "S" in the seventh character indicates sequela, meaning the residual effects of a past injury.