2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K44.1Diaphragmatic hernia with gangrene

ICD-10-CM Codes›K00–K95›K40-K46›K44

ICD-10-CM K44.1
CMSSource: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM dataset · Effective Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026

K44.1 is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for diaphragmatic hernia with gangrene. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 393 through 395. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Abdominal hernia and Gangrene.

Code Identity

ICD-10-CM Code
K44.1
Billable Status
Yes — Valid for Submission
Code Describes
Diaphragmatic hernia with gangrene
Short Description
Diaphragmatic hernia with gangrene
Same as the full description in the CMS dataset.
Parent Code
K44
Diaphragmatic hernia

Code Classification

ChapterK00–K95Diseases of the digestive system
SectionK40-K46Hernia
CategoryK44Diaphragmatic hernia
This CodeK44.1Diaphragmatic hernia with gangrene

Approximate SynonymsGuidance

Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.

  • Diaphragmatic hernia with gangrene
  • Gangrenous paraesophageal hernia
  • Gastric necrosis
  • Hiatal hernia with gangrene AND obstruction
  • Hiatus hernia with gangrene
  • Hiatus hernia with obstruction
  • Obstructed diaphragmatic hernia
  • Obstructed diaphragmatic hernia with gangrene
  • Obstructed paraesophageal hernia
  • Paraesophageal hernia
  • Paraesophageal hernia with gangrene AND obstruction

Tabular List NotesGuidance

Coding notes and annotation back-references applicable to this code.

Inclusion Terms

  • Gangrenous diaphragmatic hernia

Index to Diseases and InjuriesGuidance

Alphabetical index entries that point to this code.

External Cause of Injuries IndexGuidance

References for this code in the External Cause of Injuries Index.

    • Hernia, hernial(acquired) (recurrent)
      • diaphragm, diaphragmatic
        • with
          • gangrene (and obstruction)
    • Hernia, hernial(acquired) (recurrent)
      • hiatal (esophageal) (sliding)
        • with
          • gangrene (and obstruction)

Clinical ClassificationClinical

AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.

CCSR DIG010
Abdominal hernia
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient Yes · outpatient Yes
CCSR CIR028
Gangrene
Default principal diagnosis: inpatient No · outpatient No

Clinical InformationClinical

  • Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

    diaphragmatic hernia that is present at birth.

  • Diaphragmatic Hernia

    a congenital or acquired weakness or opening in the diaphragm which allows abdominal contents to protrude into the chest cavity; congenital diaphragmatic hernias are caused when the embryonic diaphragm fails to fuse.

  • Traumatic Diaphragmatic Hernia

    the protrusion of abdominal cavity contents into the thoracic cavity via a hole in the diaphragm, which was acquired via a traumatic etiology.

Patient EducationClinical

Gangrene

Gangrene is the death of tissues in your body. It happens when a part of your body loses its blood supply. Gangrene can happen on the surface of the body, such as on the skin, or inside the body, in muscles or organs. Causes include:

Read the full article at MedlinePlus

Courtesy of MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Convert K44.1 to ICD-9-CMHistory

The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.

ICD-9-CM
551.3 Diaphragm hernia w gangr
Exact Match The mapping is direct, with no qualifiers.

Code HistoryHistory

FY 2016AddedAdded to the ICD-10-CM code setEffective October 1, 2015, the first year of ICD-10-CM.
FY 2017–2025No changes
FY 2026CurrentCurrent code set, no changesEffective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Questions About K44.1Overview

Is K44.1 (Diaphragmatic hernia) a billable code?

Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report diaphragmatic hernia with gangrene on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

What MS-DRG does K44.1 group to?

When diaphragmatic hernia with gangrene is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 393, 394, 395, with relative weights from 0.6490 to 1.5993 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.

What is the ICD-9 equivalent of K44.1?

Under the General Equivalence Mappings, diaphragmatic hernia with gangrene converts to ICD-9-CM 551.3 (diaphragm hernia w gangr). The mapping is a direct match.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.