Acute gastric ulcer with perforation

This code signifies a suddenly developing ulceration in the stomach lining that has eroded completely through the gastric wall, leading to a breach into the peritoneal cavity. This perforation allows gastric contents to leak, causing peritonitis and requiring immediate surgical intervention.

Apply this code when documentation explicitly states an acute gastric ulcer with evidence of perforation. This typically occurs in emergency settings where patients present with sudden, severe abdominal pain, rigidity, and signs of peritonitis. Diagnostic imaging (e.g., CT scan) or surgical findings confirming a perforated gastric ulcer support its use.

• Ensure documentation specifies "acute" and "perforation" for a gastric ulcer; chronic ulcers with perforation are coded differently.
• Do not confuse with gastric ulcers without perforation or duodenal ulcers with perforation (K26.1).
• Always sequence this code as the primary diagnosis when it is the reason for the encounter and treatment.