2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code T81.31XSDisruption of external operation (surgical) wound, not elsewhere classified, sequela
T81.31XS is a billable ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for disruption of external operation (surgical) wound, not elsewhere classified, sequela. The 7th character S marks it as a sequela code, which reports a problem that remains after the original condition has resolved. It is valid on HIPAA claims for fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and groups to MS-DRG 922 through 923. The code is exempt from POA reporting. Coders also document this condition as dehiscence of external surgical incision wound. In AHRQ's Clinical Classifications Software (CCSR), this diagnosis falls under Complication, sequela.
Code Identity
Code Classification
Present on Admission (POA)Billing
T81.31XS is exempt from POA reporting on inpatient claims to general acute care hospitals. Review other POA exempt codes.
Approximate SynonymsGuidance
Alternate terms and clinical phrases that map to this code.
- Dehiscence of external surgical incision wound
- Dehiscence of laparotomy wound
- Dehiscence of postoperative abdominal wound
- Dehiscence of surgical wound
- Loose suture of cornea
- Postoperative abdominal wound hemorrhage
- Postoperative wound hemorrhage
- Wound hemorrhage
Coding GuidelinesGuidance
The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from block Complications of procedures, not elsewhere classified (T81). Use the following options for the applicable episode of care:
- A - initial encounter
- D - subsequent encounter
- S - sequela
Source: ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, FY 2026, published by CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics.
Clinical ClassificationClinical
AHRQ’s CCSR groups this code into broader clinical categories.
Patient EducationClinical
Wounds and Injuries
An injury is damage to your body. It is a general term that refers to harm caused by accidents, falls, hits, weapons, and more. In the U.S., millions of people injure themselves every year. These injuries range from minor to life-threatening.
Read the full article at MedlinePlus
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Convert T81.31XS to ICD-9-CMHistory
The closest ICD-9-CM equivalents under the General Equivalence Mappings.
Code HistoryHistory
Questions About T81.31XSOverview
Is T81.31XS a billable code?
Yes. This is a billable ICD-10-CM code, specific enough to report disruption of external operation (surgical) wound, not elsewhere classified, sequela on HIPAA-covered claims from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
What does the 7th character S in T81.31XS mean?
The final character S makes this a sequela code: it reports a lingering problem that remains after the disruption of external operation (surgical) wound, not elsewhere classified itself has resolved, not the original event.
What MS-DRG does T81.31XS group to?
When disruption of external operation (surgical) wound, not elsewhere classified, sequela is the principal diagnosis on an inpatient stay, it groups to MS-DRG 922, 923, with relative weights from 1.0177 to 1.7494 depending on complications. Higher weights mean higher Medicare reimbursement.
Is T81.31XS exempt from POA reporting?
Yes. CMS lists this code among those exempt from present on admission reporting, so hospitals do not assign a POA indicator for disruption of external operation (surgical) wound, not elsewhere classified, sequela on inpatient claims.
What is the ICD-9 equivalent of T81.31XS?
Under the General Equivalence Mappings, disruption of external operation (surgical) wound, not elsewhere classified, sequela converts to ICD-9-CM 909.3 (late eff surg/med compl). The mapping is approximate, so confirm the match fits the documentation.
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.
