K90.2 vs K91.2
K90.2 and K91.2 can never be reported together. ICD-10-CM declares them mutually exclusive with an Excludes1 note, meaning the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient — so exactly one of them is correct for any given encounter.
The official note, declared on K90.2
postsurgical blind loop syndrome (K91.2)
K90.2
Blind loop syndrome, not elsewhere classified
BillableUnspecified
- Chapter 11
- Diseases of the digestive system
- Section
- K90-K95
Use when the record says
- Blind loop syndrome NOS
Indexed under
- Blind › loop syndrome
- Lane's › syndrome
- Obstruction, obstructed, obstructive › lacteal, with steatorrhea
- Steatorrhea › with lacteal obstruction (chronic)
- Syndrome › blind loop
K91.2
Postsurgical malabsorption, not elsewhere classified
BillableUnspecified
- Chapter 11
- Diseases of the digestive system
- Section
- K90-K95
Use when the record says
- Postsurgical blind loop syndrome
Indexed under
- Tachyalimentation
- Malabsorption › postgastrectomy
- Malabsorption › postsurgical
- Malnutrition › following gastrointestinal surgery
- Complication › surgical procedure › malabsorptionNEC (s) (from) (of)
Excludes1 is not always absolute: where two conditions covered by the note are genuinely unrelated, CMS guidance permits reporting both. Document the reasoning rather than assuming it. More on Excludes1 vs Excludes2 · FY2027