Postoperative urethral stricture

This code signifies a narrowing of the urethra that develops as a complication following a surgical procedure. This stricture can impede urine flow and may result from scarring, inflammation, or trauma related to the prior surgery.

This code is appropriate for documenting a urethral stricture that is explicitly stated in the medical record as being a sequela of a previous surgical intervention. Documentation should clearly link the stricture's onset or diagnosis to a prior operative event.

• Ensure the documentation explicitly states "postoperative" or clearly links the stricture to a prior surgical procedure.
• Do not use this code for congenital or idiopathic urethral strictures; other codes exist for those etiologies.
• Consider sequencing this code after the primary reason for the encounter if the stricture is being treated, or as a secondary diagnosis if it's a co-morbidity.