Laceration without foreign body of right ear, sequela

This code signifies a long-term complication or late effect resulting from a laceration of the right ear, where no foreign body was present at the time of the original injury. It indicates that the patient is currently experiencing a residual condition directly attributable to that past ear laceration.

Apply this code when documentation clearly links a current ear-related condition (e.g., scar tissue, deformity, chronic pain, nerve damage) to a previously sustained right ear laceration without a foreign body. The patient's medical record must explicitly state that the current issue is a sequela of the prior injury, often occurring months or years after the initial healing.

• Always sequence the sequela code first, followed by a code describing the specific nature of the sequela (e.g., scar, deformity).
• Ensure documentation specifies "right ear" and explicitly states "sequela" or "late effect" of a laceration without a foreign body.
• Distinguish from acute lacerations (S01.311A-D) or subsequent encounters for routine healing (S01.311D) which do not represent a sequela.