Foreign body of alimentary tract, part unspecified, sequela

This code signifies a long-term complication or residual effect resulting from a foreign body that was once present in the digestive tract, but the specific location within the tract is not documented. It indicates that the acute foreign body ingestion event has passed, but its consequences are still manifesting.

Use this code when a patient presents with a current condition directly attributable to a foreign body previously lodged in their alimentary tract, and the original foreign body has since been removed or passed, or its exact location was never specified. This applies to chronic issues like strictures, perforations, or fistulas that developed as a sequela.

• Always use this code as a secondary diagnosis, following the code for the specific sequela (e.g., K31.89 for other specified diseases of stomach and duodenum if a stricture is the sequela).
• Ensure documentation clearly links the current condition to a past foreign body event in the alimentary tract.
• Do not use for acute foreign body ingestions; those are coded with T18.0-T18.8.