Chronic or unspecified gastric ulcer with perforation

This code signifies a long-standing or uncharacterized ulcer in the stomach lining that has developed a hole or tear through its wall. This perforation allows gastric contents to leak into the abdominal cavity, often leading to peritonitis. The chronicity or unspecified nature differentiates it from acute presentations.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a gastric ulcer with perforation, and the ulcer's duration is either chronic or not specified as acute. Supporting documentation would include operative reports detailing the perforation, endoscopy findings, or physician notes explicitly stating "chronic gastric ulcer with perforation" or "gastric ulcer, perforated, unspecified chronicity."

• Do not use this code for acute gastric ulcers with perforation; refer to codes within K25.1.
• Ensure documentation specifies "perforation" and not just "hemorrhage" or "obstruction."
• Always sequence this code as the primary diagnosis if the perforation is the reason for the encounter.