Locate the Code for Appendicitis With Localized Peritonitis
Question: A patient presented to the emergency department (ED) at 3 a.m. with severe abdominal pain in the lower right abdomen, as well as fever, nausea, and vomiting. After a history and physical examination, the gastroenterologist diagnosed the patient with acute appendicitis with localized peritonitis. The documentation also indicates the appendix hadn’t burst at the time of the encounter. What diagnosis codes do I need to report? Alaska Subscriber Answer: You’ll assign K35.30 (Acute appendicitis with localized peritonitis, without perforation or gangrene) to report the documented diagnosis. Localized peritonitis is inflammation of the peritoneum (abdominal cavity lining) that hasn’t spread to other areas of the body. In the ICD-10-CM Alphabetic Index, search for Appendicitis > acute > with > peritonitis NEC > localized, where you’ll find K35.30. You’ll then verify the code in the Tabular List. Code K35.30 also features acute appendicitis with localized peritonitis not otherwise specified (NOS) as an additional diagnosis that can be reported with the code. You mentioned that the documentation includes information specifying that the appendix hadn’t burst at the time of the encounter. A burst, or rupture, is referred to as perforation in the ICD-10-CM code descriptors. Mike Shaughnessy, BA, CPC, Production Editor, AAPC
