Fracture of bones of trunk, open

This code signifies an open fracture involving any bone of the trunk, meaning the skin and underlying tissue are broken, exposing the fracture site. This includes fractures of the ribs, sternum, vertebrae, pelvis, and sacrum. The open nature indicates a direct communication between the fracture and the external environment.

Assign this code when documentation clearly states an open fracture of a trunk bone, such as an open rib fracture from a motor vehicle accident or an open pelvic fracture due to a fall. The medical record must explicitly describe the fracture as "open" or indicate a compound fracture with an associated wound communicating with the bone.

• Differentiate from closed fractures of the trunk; closed fractures would use codes from the 808 series.
• Always sequence the fracture code first, followed by any associated open wound codes if applicable.
• Ensure the documentation specifies the type of open fracture (e.g., Type I, II, III Gustilo-Anderson classification) if available, though this code does not differentiate by type.