ICDcodes.org
FY2027

T81.31XS — Disruption of external operation (surgical) wound, not elsewhere classified, sequela

BillableUnspecified

Is T81.31XS billable?

Yes, but T81.31XS is an unspecified code. T81.31XS is a valid, billable ICD-10-CM code for encounters from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. However, T81.31XS is an unspecified or catch-all code. Payers apply additional scrutiny to unspecified codes and many deny them when the medical record supports a more specific option, so check the documentation before selecting T81.31XS.

T81.31XS at a glance

CodeT81.31XS
DescriptionDisruption of external operation (surgical) wound, not elsewhere classified, sequela
BillableYes
Code setICD-10-CM FY2027
Valid for encountersOctober 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027
7th character "S"sequela

What does the 7th character "S" mean in T81.31XS?

In T81.31XS, the 7th character S means sequela. The 7th character is required for T81.31XS to be a valid, complete code.

Same condition, different episode of care — switch the 7th character:

Which MS-DRGs does T81.31XS group to?

T81.31XS sits in MDC 21 and helps define the logic of 2 MS-DRGs (version 44, FY2027). Which one a stay actually groups to also depends on procedures and secondary diagnoses.

  • 922Other Injury, Poisoning and Toxic Effect Diagnoses with MCCmedical
  • 923Other Injury, Poisoning and Toxic Effect Diagnoses without MCCmedical

How is T81.31XS listed in the Alphabetic Index?

The Alphabetic Index lists these routes under T81.31, the nearest indexed parent of T81.31XS. Use them to find the family, then select the specific code.

  • Burst stitches or sutures (complication of surgery)
  • Burst stitches or sutures › external operation wound (complication of surgery)
  • Dehiscence › operation wound NEC (of)
  • Suture › burst
  • Dehiscence › closure of › cornea (of)
  • Dehiscence › closure of › mucosa (of)
  • Dehiscence › closure of › skin and subcutaneous tissue (of)
  • Dehiscence › operation wound NEC › external operation wound (of)

Excludes1 — never code together

The conditions below can never be reported together with T81.31XS on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.

  • dehiscence of amputation stump (T87.81)

Inclusion terms

Alternative wording in documentation that is classified to T81.31XS.

  • 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

Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from T81.3

The conditions below can never be reported together with T81.31XS on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.

  • breakdown (mechanical) of permanent sutures (T85.612)
  • displacement of permanent sutures (T85.622)
  • disruption of cesarean delivery wound (O90.0)
  • disruption of perineal obstetric wound (O90.1)
  • mechanical complication of permanent sutures NEC (T85.692)

Excludes1 — never code together — inherited from T81.31

The conditions below can never be reported together with T81.31XS on the same claim. An Excludes1 note means the two conditions cannot occur in the same patient, so reporting both is a coding error.

  • dehiscence of amputation stump (T87.81)

Use additional code — inherited from Chapter 19

Report an additional code alongside T81.31XS to fully describe the condition. T81.31XS is sequenced first.

  • code to identify any retained foreign body, if applicable (Z18.-)

Use additional code — inherited from T80-T88

Report an additional code alongside T81.31XS to fully describe the condition. T81.31XS is sequenced first.

  • code for adverse effect, if applicable, to identify drug (T36-T50 with fifth or sixth character 5)
  • code(s) to identify the specified condition resulting from the complication
  • code to identify devices involved and details of circumstances (Y62-Y82)

Use additional code — inherited from T81

Report an additional code alongside T81.31XS to fully describe the condition. T81.31XS is sequenced first.

  • code for adverse effect, if applicable, to identify drug (T36-T50 with fifth or sixth character 5)

Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from Chapter 19

The conditions below are not part of T81.31XS, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, T81.31XS and the excluded code may both be reported.

  • birth trauma (P10-P15)
  • obstetric trauma (O70-O71)

Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from T80-T88

The conditions below are not part of T81.31XS, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, T81.31XS and the excluded code may both be reported.

  • any encounters with medical care for postprocedural conditions in which no complications are present, such as:
  • artificial opening status (Z93.-)
  • closure of external stoma (Z43.-)
  • fitting and adjustment of external prosthetic device (Z44.-)
  • burns and corrosions from local applications and irradiation (T20-T32)
  • complications of surgical procedures during pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
  • mechanical complication of respirator [ventilator] (J95.850)
  • poisoning and toxic effects of drugs and chemicals (T36-T65 with fifth or sixth character 1-4 or 6)
  • postprocedural fever (R50.82)
  • specified complications classified elsewhere, such as:
  • cerebrospinal fluid leak from spinal puncture (G97.0)
  • colostomy malfunction (K94.0-)
  • disorders of fluid and electrolyte imbalance (E86-E87)
  • functional disturbances following cardiac surgery (I97.0-I97.1)
  • intraoperative and postprocedural complications of specified body systems (D78.-, E36.-, E89.-, G97.3-, G97.4, H59.3-, H59.-, H95.2-, H95.3, I97.4-, I97.5, J95.6-, J95.7, K91.6-, L76.-, M96.-, N99.-)
  • ostomy complications (J95.0-, K94.-, N99.5-)
  • postgastric surgery syndromes (K91.1)
  • postlaminectomy syndrome NEC (M96.1)
  • postmastectomy lymphedema syndrome (I97.2)
  • postsurgical blind-loop syndrome (K91.2)
  • ventilator associated pneumonia (J95.851)

Excludes2 — not included here — inherited from T81

The conditions below are not part of T81.31XS, but a patient may have both at the same time. When documentation supports it, T81.31XS and the excluded code may both be reported.

  • complications following immunization (T88.0-T88.1)
  • complications following infusion, transfusion and therapeutic injection (T80.-)
  • complications of transplanted organs and tissue (T86.-)
  • specified complications classified elsewhere, such as:
  • complication of prosthetic devices, implants and grafts (T82-T85)
  • dermatitis due to drugs and medicaments (L23.3, L24.4, L25.1, L27.0-L27.1)
  • endosseous dental implant failure (M27.6-)
  • floppy iris syndrome (IFIS) (intraoperative) H21.81
  • intraoperative and postprocedural complications of specific body system (D78.-, E36.-, E89.-, G97.3-, G97.4, H59.3-, H59.-, H95.2-, H95.3, I97.4-, I97.5, J95, K91.-, L76.-, M96.-, N99.-)
  • ostomy complications (J95.0-, K94.-, N99.5-)
  • plateau iris syndrome (post-iridectomy) (postprocedural) H21.82
  • poisoning and toxic effects of drugs and chemicals (T36-T65 with fifth or sixth character 1-4)

How long has T81.31XS existed?

T81.31XS has been in ICD-10-CM since at least FY2016, the earliest fiscal year on record here.

Derived from the official order files for FY2016–FY2026. FY2017 and FY2020 publish no order file, so those years are not covered.