Puncture wound with foreign body of right ear, sequela

This code signifies a long-term complication or late effect resulting from a puncture wound to the right ear, where a foreign body was involved. It indicates that the initial injury has healed, but residual issues or conditions persist due to the original trauma and retained foreign material.

Apply this code when documenting a patient presenting with a current condition (e.g., chronic pain, scarring, infection, nerve damage, hearing loss) that is a direct consequence of a previously sustained puncture wound to the right ear involving a foreign body. Documentation should clearly link the current sequela to the past injury and foreign body presence.

• Always sequence the code for the specific sequela (e.g., chronic otitis externa, scar) first, followed by this sequela code.
• Ensure documentation explicitly states the laterality (right ear) and the presence of a foreign body in the original injury.
• Do not use this code for acute or active puncture wounds; it is exclusively for residual conditions after the initial injury has resolved.