Injury to multiple and unspecified intrathoracic organs, with open wound into cavity

This code signifies traumatic damage to multiple internal organs within the chest cavity, such as the heart, lungs, or great vessels, where the injury has created an open communication between the thoracic cavity and the external environment. This typically involves penetrating trauma that breaches the chest wall and affects more than one intrathoracic structure.

Use this code for patients presenting with penetrating chest trauma (e.g., stab wound, gunshot wound) that has resulted in injury to several intrathoracic organs, and the specific organs involved are either not fully documented or are too numerous to code individually. Documentation should clearly indicate an open wound into the thoracic cavity and involvement of multiple internal chest structures.

• Ensure documentation specifies "multiple" or "unspecified" intrathoracic organs when using this code; otherwise, code specific organ injuries.
• This code implies an open wound; do not use for blunt trauma without an open wound into the cavity.
• Consider sequencing this code after any more specific, life-threatening injuries if documented.