Peritonitis in infectious diseases classified elsewhere

This code signifies inflammation of the peritoneum (the membrane lining the abdominal cavity) that arises as a complication of an underlying infectious disease. It indicates that the peritonitis is not a primary condition but rather a manifestation of another infection, which must be separately identified and coded.

Apply this code when documentation clearly states peritonitis secondary to a specific infectious disease, such as tuberculosis, syphilis, or a parasitic infection. The medical record must explicitly link the peritonitis to an infectious etiology classified elsewhere in the ICD-9-CM system.

• Always sequence the underlying infectious disease code first, followed by this code for the peritonitis.
• Do not use this code for peritonitis due to non-infectious causes (e.g., chemical irritation, trauma) or for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis without a specified underlying infectious disease.
• Ensure the documentation specifies the type of infectious disease causing the peritonitis to allow for accurate primary code assignment.