Contusion of thoracic trachea, sequela

This code indicates a bruise or injury to the thoracic (chest portion) of the windpipe that is no longer in its acute phase. It signifies a long-term effect or complication arising from a past contusion of the trachea in the chest.

Use this code when documenting a patient presenting with ongoing symptoms or complications directly attributable to a previous blunt force trauma to the thoracic trachea. This applies when the initial injury has healed, but residual issues persist, such as chronic pain, scarring, or airway compromise.

• Ensure documentation clearly links current symptoms to a past thoracic tracheal contusion.
• The "S" seventh character indicates a sequela, meaning the patient is experiencing a late effect of the injury.
• Do not use for acute injuries; refer to the initial encounter or subsequent encounter codes for those phases.