Short bowel syndrome without colon in continuity

This code describes short bowel syndrome (SBS) in patients who have undergone extensive small bowel resection and also lack a colon in continuity. This anatomical configuration significantly impacts nutrient absorption and fluid balance due to the absence of the colon's absorptive and regulatory functions.

Use this code for patients diagnosed with SBS where surgical documentation or imaging confirms the absence of a functional colon connected to the remaining small bowel. This typically occurs after total colectomy or significant colonic resection in addition to extensive small bowel loss. Documentation should clearly state the extent of bowel loss and the lack of colonic continuity.

• Differentiate from K90.821 (short bowel syndrome with colon in continuity) based on surgical history and anatomical findings.
• Always sequence this code after the underlying cause of the short bowel syndrome (e.g., Crohn's disease, mesenteric ischemia, surgical complications).
• Ensure documentation specifies the absence of a colon in continuity, as this is the key differentiator for this specific code.