Acute ischemia of small intestine, extent unspecified

This code signifies a sudden, temporary reduction in blood flow to the small intestine that is expected to resolve. It indicates that the specific segment of the small intestine affected by the ischemia is not documented. This condition can lead to abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Use this code when documentation explicitly states "acute reversible ischemia of the small intestine" without specifying the extent (e.g., jejunum, ileum). It is appropriate for cases where the clinician anticipates full recovery of the affected bowel segment. Documentation should clearly indicate the acute nature and reversibility of the ischemic event.

• Do not use this code if the ischemia is documented as chronic or irreversible.
• Avoid this code if a specific segment of the small intestine (e.g., jejunum, ileum) is identified; instead, use a more specific K55.01x code.
• Consider sequencing this code after a code for the underlying cause of the ischemia, if known and documented (e.g., embolism, thrombosis).