Incisional hernia with obstruction, without gangrene

This code signifies a type of hernia that occurs at the site of a previous surgical incision, where a portion of the intestine or other abdominal contents has become trapped, leading to a blockage of the bowel. Importantly, there is no evidence of tissue death (gangrene) associated with this obstruction.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates an incisional hernia causing an intestinal obstruction, and specifically states the absence of gangrene. This is typically supported by physician notes detailing symptoms of obstruction (e.g., severe abdominal pain, vomiting, inability to pass stool), physical exam findings, and imaging results (e.g., CT scan) confirming the obstruction without signs of ischemia.

• Differentiate carefully from incisional hernias without obstruction (K43.9) or those with gangrene (K43.1).
• Ensure documentation explicitly rules out gangrene; if silent, query the provider.
• Code any associated complications of the obstruction (e.g., electrolyte imbalance) as secondary diagnoses.