Flatulence

This code represents the symptom of excessive gas in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to abdominal distension and the passage of flatus. It indicates a patient's complaint of increased or bothersome intestinal gas production and expulsion.

Use this code when documentation explicitly states "flatulence" as a presenting symptom or a reason for the encounter. It is appropriate when the provider has not identified a more specific underlying gastrointestinal disorder causing the gas. Supporting documentation would include patient complaints of gas, bloating, or excessive passing of flatus.

• Do not use this code if a more specific underlying cause of the flatulence, such as irritable bowel syndrome (K58.-) or malabsorption (K90.-), is documented.
• This is a symptom code; consider if an additional code for an associated condition or cause is also appropriate and supported by documentation.
• Distinguish from abdominal distension (R19.0) if the primary complaint is gas expulsion rather than just swelling.