Pouchitis

This code identifies inflammation of an ileal pouch (or J-pouch), which is surgically created from the small intestine to store stool after a total colectomy, typically for ulcerative colitis or familial adenomatous polyposis. Pouchitis can manifest with symptoms such as increased stool frequency, urgency, abdominal pain, and sometimes fever or bleeding.

Use this code for patients diagnosed with inflammation of their ileal pouch. Documentation should clearly state "pouchitis" or describe the inflammatory process within the surgically created pouch, often confirmed by endoscopy and biopsy. This code is appropriate for both acute and chronic presentations of pouchitis.

• Differentiate from other complications of intestinal ostomy, such as mechanical issues or infections not specific to the pouch.
• Do not confuse with enteritis or colitis of the native bowel; this code is specific to the surgically constructed pouch.
• Sequence as a primary diagnosis when pouchitis is the reason for the encounter, or as a secondary diagnosis when it's a co-morbidity affecting treatment.