September 30, 2021

Question:
We did a debridement and repair of a wound dehiscence on a breast reconstruction patient. The denial said we did not have the right diagnosis code. We used S21.029A. What diagnosis code should we have used?

Answer:
S21.0029A is for traumatic laceration with foreign body of unspecified breast, initial encounter. The wound was not traumatic – it was a postoperative wound healing issue. Look at the T81.31XA or T81.32XA for disruption of surgical wound.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 09/30/21.