Ventral hernia without obstruction or gangrene

This code signifies a ventral hernia that is uncomplicated, meaning there is no evidence of bowel obstruction or tissue necrosis. A ventral hernia is a protrusion of abdominal contents through a defect in the anterior abdominal wall, excluding inguinal, femoral, and umbilical hernias. It typically presents as a palpable bulge.

This code is appropriate for documenting an uncomplicated ventral hernia identified during a physical examination or imaging study. Documentation should clearly state the presence of a ventral hernia and explicitly exclude signs or symptoms of obstruction (e.g., severe pain, vomiting, inability to pass stool) or gangrene (e.g., discoloration, tenderness, fever).

• Differentiate carefully from incarcerated or strangulated hernias, which require more specific codes.
• Ensure the documentation specifies "ventral" to avoid confusion with other hernia types.
• If the hernia is recurrent, a separate code for recurrence should be considered in addition to this code.