Laceration of stomach, sequela

This code signifies a long-term complication or residual effect stemming from a previous laceration of the stomach. This could include issues like chronic pain, scarring, strictures, or persistent functional impairments directly attributable to the original injury. It indicates that the acute phase of the laceration has passed, and the patient is now experiencing ongoing problems as a result.

Use this code when documenting conditions that are a direct consequence of a past stomach laceration, such as a patient presenting with gastric outlet obstruction due to scar tissue from an old injury. It is appropriate for follow-up encounters where the primary reason for the visit is to address these chronic sequelae. This code should not be used for the initial, acute laceration.

• Always sequence this code after the code for the specific sequela (e.g., K31.1 for adult pyloric stenosis).
• Ensure documentation clearly links the current condition to a previous stomach laceration.
• The "S" in the 7th character indicates this is a sequela, meaning it's used for complications or conditions arising after the acute injury has healed.