Postoperative air leak

This code represents the presence of air escaping from the lung or pleural space following a surgical procedure. This can manifest as a persistent air leak through a chest tube or subcutaneous emphysema, indicating a breach in the integrity of the lung parenchyma or visceral pleura.

This code is appropriate for patients who develop an air leak after thoracic surgery, lung biopsy, or other procedures involving the chest cavity. Documentation should clearly state "postoperative air leak" or describe the clinical findings consistent with air leakage occurring after a surgical intervention.

• Always sequence this code after the primary surgical complication or the procedure code if the air leak is the only complication.
• Distinguish from spontaneous pneumothorax (512.x) or traumatic pneumothorax (860.x) which are not post-surgical.
• Ensure documentation specifies the postoperative nature of the air leak to justify this code.