Gastroenterology Coding Alert

Question: The gastroenterologist recently diagnosed a patient with retroperitoneal hematoma and is about to schedule them for surgery. This is the first I’ve heard of this condition. How do I code this diagnosis?

Michigan Subscriber

Answer: A retroperitoneal hematoma is a collection of blood that forms behind the lining of the abdominal cavity. It can occur due to trauma, a ruptured blood vessel, or as a complication of surgery or other medical procedures. The condition typically requires a multidisciplinary team surgical approach.

You’ll be able to precisely report this serious condition with K68.3 (Retroperitoneal hematoma). This is a new code that was added as part of the 2024 ICD-10 updates, which took effect October 1, 2023.

Note: Don’t confuse this code with the other retroperitoneum disorder code that was added at the same time. Retroperitoneal fibrosis, coded to K68.2 (Retroperitoneal fibrosis) is a rare disorder that occurs when extra fibrous tissue forms in the area behind your stomach and intestines. This extra tissue can cause a variety of symptoms by pressing on the organs and blood vessels in the area.