T81.31
Billable

Disruption of external operation (surgical) wound, not elsewhere classified

Billable / Specific Code

What is Disruption of external operation (surgical) wound, not elsewhere classified?

ICD-10-CM T81.31 is the diagnosis code for Disruption of external operation (surgical) wound, not elsewhere classified. This code falls under the section "Complications of surgical and medical care, not elsewhere classified" within Chapter 19 — Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88). It is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. Medical coders and healthcare providers use this code to document and classify diagnoses in electronic health records, insurance claims, and clinical databases.

💡 Inclusions
⛔ Excludes1

Coding Guidelines for T81.31

✅ This Code Includes

  • Dehiscence of operation wound NOS
  • Disruption of operation wound NOS
  • Disruption or dehiscence of closure of cornea
  • Disruption or dehiscence of closure of mucosa
  • Disruption or dehiscence of closure of skin and subcutaneous tissue
  • Full-thickness skin disruption or dehiscence
  • Superficial disruption or dehiscence of operation wound

⛔ Type 1 Excludes (Never code together)

The following conditions should never be coded at the same time as T81.31. They are mutually exclusive:

  • dehiscence of amputation stump (T87.81)

ICD-10-CM Code Hierarchy

Understanding where T81.31 sits in the ICD-10-CM classification helps ensure proper coding:

Related Codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is T81.31 a billable ICD-10-CM code?

Yes, T81.31 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

What does T81.31 mean?

T81.31 is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for "Disruption of external operation (surgical) wound, not elsewhere classified". It is used by healthcare providers to classify and document this condition in medical records and insurance claims.

What is the parent code of T81.31?

The parent code of T81.31 is T81.3 ("Disruption of wound, not elsewhere classified"). T81.31 provides a more specific classification within this category.

What section is T81.31 in?

T81.31 is located in Section T80-T88 — "Complications of surgical and medical care, not elsewhere classified" within Chapter 19 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

When should I use T81.31?

Use T81.31 when the patients documented diagnosis matches "Disruption of external operation (surgical) wound, not elsewhere classified" and the clinical documentation supports this level of specificity. Always verify with the latest ICD-10-CM guidelines and payer requirements.

People Also Ask

What is the ICD-10 code for Disruption of external operation (surgical) wound, not elsewhere classified?

The ICD-10-CM code for Disruption of external operation (surgical) wound, not elsewhere classified is T81.31.

Can T81.31 be used for primary diagnosis?

Yes, T81.31 can be used as a primary diagnosis code since it is billable and specific.

What chapter is T81.31 in?

T81.31 is in Chapter 19 of the ICD-10-CM Tabular List.

What conditions are excluded from T81.31?

Type 1 Excludes for T81.31 include: dehiscence of amputation stump (T87.81).

Is T81.31 valid for 2026?

Yes, T81.31 is a valid ICD-10-CM code for the 2026 fiscal year, subject to official CMS updates.

See Also

← PreviousT81.30Disruption of wound, unspecifiedNext →T81.32Disruption of internal operation (surgical) wound, not elsewhere classified
Code Details
T81.31
Disruption of external operation (surgical) wound, not elsewhere classified
Billable / Specific Code
19 — Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
T80-T88 — Complications of surgical and medical care, not elsewhere classified
2026 ICD-10-CM