Acute reaction to foreign substance accidentally left during a procedure

This code signifies an immediate, adverse physiological response to a non-biological material inadvertently retained within the body following a surgical or invasive medical procedure. This reaction is distinct from infection or mechanical complications and typically manifests shortly after the foreign object is left in situ.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates an acute systemic or localized reaction (e.g., allergic response, inflammatory reaction) to a foreign body such as a sponge, instrument fragment, or suture material that was unintentionally left inside a patient during a prior procedure. Supporting documentation should specify the foreign substance and the acute nature of the patient's reaction.

• Always sequence this code as a secondary diagnosis, following the code for the specific manifestation of the acute reaction.
• Distinguish from infection (e.g., abscess, sepsis) or mechanical complications (e.g., obstruction, perforation) caused by a retained foreign body.
• Ensure the documentation explicitly states the foreign substance was "accidentally left" and the reaction was "acute."