Urethral fistula

This code represents an abnormal, often pathological, connection or passageway involving the urethra. This fistula can connect the urethra to another organ, such as the skin (urethrocutaneous), vagina (urethrovaginal), or rectum (urethrorectal), leading to leakage of urine.

This code is appropriate for documenting a diagnosed urethral fistula, regardless of its etiology (e.g., congenital, traumatic, iatrogenic, inflammatory). Documentation should clearly identify the presence of a fistula involving the urethra, often with details about its location or communicating structures.

• Specify the type of urethral fistula if further detail is available (e.g., urethrocutaneous, urethrovaginal) using more specific codes if applicable within the ICD-9-CM structure.
• Always look for an underlying cause or associated conditions that may require additional coding.
• Differentiate from strictures or diverticula, which are distinct conditions and have different codes.