Non-pressure chronic ulcer of left thigh w fat layer exposed

This code signifies a long-standing ulcer on the left thigh that is not caused by pressure and has progressed to the point where the subcutaneous fat tissue is visible. It indicates a deeper wound extending beyond the epidermis and dermis.

Apply this code when documentation specifies a chronic, non-pressure ulcer located on the patient's left thigh, and the wound bed clearly exposes adipose tissue. This is typically seen in conditions like venous stasis ulcers, arterial ulcers, or neuropathic ulcers where tissue loss has reached the fat layer.

• Ensure the documentation explicitly states "left thigh" and "fat layer exposed" for accurate coding.
• Differentiate from pressure ulcers (L89.-) and acute ulcers, which have different coding pathways.
• Always sequence this code after the underlying cause of the ulcer (e.g., chronic venous insufficiency, atherosclerosis) if known.