Urology Coding Alert
Code 13160 Applies to Scrotal Wound Dehiscence
Question: I’m attempting to code a case for closure of a scrotal wound based on this documentation: “Patient underwent a bilateral orchiopexy a week ago. After going to school for two days, patient noted that the left wound was beginning to open. This morning the patient noted a small amount of tissue extruding. The left hemi-scrotal wound was 50% dehisced with exposure of the testicle. The right hemi-scrotal wound edges were mildly separated for the length. No evidence of infection.” How should I report this? Alaska Subscriber Answer: The procedure you describe is an operative wound dehiscence. Report the encounter with CPT® code 13160 (Secondary closure of surgical wound or dehiscence, extensive or complicated) and diagnosis code T81.31XA (Disruption of external operation (surgical) wound, not elsewhere classified, initial encounter).
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