Laceration without foreign body of anus, sequela

This code signifies a past injury involving a tear or cut to the anal region, where no foreign object was present at the time of the original injury. The "sequela" designation indicates that this code is used to report a condition or complication that is a residual effect of that initial laceration, even if the original injury has healed.

This code is appropriate when a patient presents with a current problem directly attributable to a previously sustained anal laceration without a foreign body. Examples include chronic pain, scarring, stricture, or functional impairment (e.g., incontinence) that developed as a long-term consequence of the original injury. It should be used when the acute phase of the laceration has passed.

• Always assign an additional code(s) to specify the nature of the sequela (e.g., chronic pain, anal stricture).
• Ensure documentation clearly links the current condition to the previous anal laceration.
• Do not use this code for acute lacerations; use the appropriate acute injury code from the S31.831 category.