Crushing injury of larynx and trachea, sequela

This code signifies the long-term effects or complications arising from a crushing injury to the larynx and/or trachea. These sequelae can include chronic airway obstruction, vocal cord paralysis, laryngeal stenosis, or persistent dysphonia, which manifest after the initial acute injury has healed.

Use this code when documenting conditions that are residual and permanent consequences of a past crushing injury to the larynx and/or trachea. Documentation should clearly link the current condition to a previous crushing injury and indicate that the acute phase of the injury has passed. This code is appropriate for follow-up visits addressing these chronic issues.

• Always sequence the sequela code (S17.0XXS) first, followed by codes for the specific manifestation(s) of the sequela (e.g., J38.0 for vocal cord paralysis).
• Ensure documentation explicitly states the "sequela" or "late effect" of the crushing injury, rather than an acute injury.
• Distinguish from acute crushing injuries (S17.0XXA, S17.0XXD) which are used for initial or subsequent encounters for the active injury.