Cleft lip (Q36)

The ICD-10 code Q36 identifies different types of cleft lip, a congenital condition where there is a split in the upper lip. This section covers various forms of cleft lip, including bilateral (Q36.0), median (Q36.1), and unilateral (Q36.9) presentations.

The ICD-10 code for cleft lip helps medical coders and healthcare professionals accurately classify specific lip clefts, aiding in diagnosis and treatment planning. The bilateral cleft lip (Q36.0) refers to clefts affecting both sides of the lip and can be complete or incomplete, sometimes involving the alveolar process of the maxilla. The term “bilateral cleft lip” or descriptive phrases like “complete left cleft lip and incomplete right cleft lip” are all captured under this code. The median cleft lip (Q36.1) describes a rare midline deformity, also known as “central cleft lip” or associated with conditions like Pai syndrome and frontonasal dysplasia. Meanwhile, the unilateral cleft lip (Q36.9) involves a cleft on one side, with synonyms including “right cleft lip,” “left cleft lip,” or “cleft lip and cleft of alveolar process,” covering both complete and incomplete variations. Using these codes correctly ensures clear communication about the specific type of cleft lip being treated or studied.