Acquired absence of left hand

This diagnosis indicates the complete absence of the left hand that was not present at birth, but rather resulted from an event such as trauma or surgery. It signifies a permanent loss of the distal portion of the left upper limb, specifically the hand.

This code is appropriate for documenting patients who have undergone amputation of the left hand due to injury, disease, or surgical intervention. It is also used for individuals presenting with a history of left hand loss from an acquired cause.

• Ensure documentation clearly specifies "left" hand and "acquired" absence, not congenital.
• Always code the underlying cause of the absence (e.g., trauma, disease) in addition to this code.
• Do not use for congenital absence; refer to codes in the Q71 series for such cases.