Crushing injury of face and scalp

This code signifies a severe traumatic injury to the facial region or scalp caused by compression between two hard surfaces. This type of injury often results in significant tissue damage, including fractures, lacerations, and contusions, due to the forceful impact.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a crushing mechanism of injury affecting the face or scalp. This typically occurs in scenarios such as industrial accidents, motor vehicle collisions where the head is trapped, or falls where the head is compressed. Supporting documentation should detail the mechanism of injury and the specific anatomical site involved.

• Ensure the documentation explicitly states "crushing" as the mechanism; otherwise, a different injury code may be more appropriate.
• Always code any associated open wounds, fractures, or internal injuries separately using appropriate codes.
• Do not confuse with simple blunt trauma or lacerations without a crushing component.