Accidental puncture or laceration during a procedure, not elsewhere classified

This code signifies an unintended penetration or tear of tissue that occurs as a complication during a surgical, diagnostic, or therapeutic procedure. It applies when the injury is iatrogenic and not an expected or intended part of the procedure itself.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates an accidental puncture or laceration occurred during a medical procedure, such as a vessel perforation during catheter insertion or an organ tear during laparoscopic surgery. The injury must be a direct result of the procedural intervention and not a pre-existing condition.

• Always sequence this code as a secondary diagnosis, following the code for the primary reason for the encounter.
• Ensure documentation specifies the site of the accidental injury and the procedure during which it occurred.
• Distinguish from codes for complications of medical care that are not punctures or lacerations (e.g., hemorrhage without perforation).