Retained wood fragments

This code indicates the presence of wood fragments that remain embedded within the body tissues following an injury. These retained foreign bodies can lead to ongoing inflammation, infection, or other complications if not removed.

Use this code when documentation explicitly states that wood fragments are still present in a patient's body. This often occurs after penetrating injuries from splinters, wooden objects, or falls onto wooden surfaces. It is appropriate for both acute and chronic presentations of retained wood.

• Ensure the documentation clearly specifies "wood" as the retained foreign body, not just a general "foreign body."
• Code this in conjunction with the appropriate injury code (e.g., open wound) and any associated complications (e.g., infection).
• Do not use this code if the wood fragment has been completely removed.