Scatlot
Networker
A patient presented for care with an open surgical wound of the web space between the thumb and fingers. The patient's thumb had been dislocated, which subsequently developed an infection. The patient was taken to surgery for irrigation and debridement of the infection. The surgical wound was left open, and now the patient is here for further dressing changes and wound debridements. The dislocation did not cause an open wound. Now I'm confused with the coding-- 8821: open wound complicated or 9583: post traumatic wound infection. Maybe both of these. The doctor does not state late effect, so I hesitate to use this, although I could query him if nothing else comes to mind. Anyone with a similar situation?