Intraoperative and postprocedural complications and disorders of digestive system, not elsewhere classified (K91) ICD-10-CM
The K91 code range covers intraoperative and postprocedural complications and disorders of digestive system, not elsewhere classified with 32 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. 24 of them are billable and valid for claim submission in fiscal year 2026, and the category headers group them but cannot themselves be billed.
Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
Codes in the K91 Range 32 codes · 24 billable
- K91 Intraoperative and postprocedural complications and disorders of digestive system, not elsewhere classifiedNon-billable
- K91.0 Vomiting following gastrointestinal surgery
- K91.1 Postgastric surgery syndromes
- K91.2 Postsurgical malabsorption, not elsewhere classified
- K91.3 Postprocedural intestinal obstructionNon-billable
- K91.30 Postprocedural intestinal obstruction, unspecified as to partial versus complete
- K91.31 Postprocedural partial intestinal obstruction
- K91.32 Postprocedural complete intestinal obstruction
- K91.5 Postcholecystectomy syndrome
- K91.6 Intraoperative hemorrhage and hematoma of a digestive system organ or structure complicating a procedureNon-billable
- K91.61 Intraoperative hemorrhage and hematoma of a digestive system organ or structure complicating a digestive system procedure
- K91.62 Intraoperative hemorrhage and hematoma of a digestive system organ or structure complicating other procedure
- K91.7 Accidental puncture and laceration of a digestive system organ or structure during a procedureNon-billable
- K91.71 Accidental puncture and laceration of a digestive system organ or structure during a digestive system procedure
- K91.72 Accidental puncture and laceration of a digestive system organ or structure during other procedure
- K91.8 Other intraoperative and postprocedural complications and disorders of digestive systemNon-billable
- K91.81 Other intraoperative complications of digestive system
- K91.82 Postprocedural hepatic failure
- K91.83 Postprocedural hepatorenal syndrome
- K91.84 Postprocedural hemorrhage of a digestive system organ or structure following a procedureNon-billable
- K91.840 Postprocedural hemorrhage of a digestive system organ or structure following a digestive system procedure
- K91.841 Postprocedural hemorrhage of a digestive system organ or structure following other procedure
- K91.85 Complications of intestinal pouchNon-billable
- K91.850 Pouchitis
- K91.858 Other complications of intestinal pouch
- K91.86 Retained cholelithiasis following cholecystectomy
- K91.87 Postprocedural hematoma and seroma of a digestive system organ or structure following a procedureNon-billable
- K91.870 Postprocedural hematoma of a digestive system organ or structure following a digestive system procedure
- K91.871 Postprocedural hematoma of a digestive system organ or structure following other procedure
- K91.872 Postprocedural seroma of a digestive system organ or structure following a digestive system procedure
- K91.873 Postprocedural seroma of a digestive system organ or structure following other procedure
- K91.89 Other postprocedural complications and disorders of digestive system
Clinical Terms in This Code Range
Definitions from the National Library of Medicine for conditions coded in the K91 range.
Afferent Loop Syndrome
A complication of gastrojejunostomy (BILLROTH II PROCEDURE), a reconstructive GASTROENTEROSTOMY. It is caused by acute (complete) or chronic (intermittent) obstruction of the afferent jejunal loop due to HERNIA, intussusception, kinking, VOLVULUS, etc. It is characterized by PAIN and VOMITING of BILE-stained fluid.
Blind Loop Syndrome
A malabsorption syndrome that is associated with a blind loop in the upper SMALL INTESTINE that is characterized by the lack of peristaltic movement, stasis of INTESTINAL CONTENTS, and the overgrowth of BACTERIA. Such bacterial overgrowth interferes with BILE SALTS action, FATTY ACIDS processing, MICROVILLI integrity, and the ABSORPTION of nutrients such as VITAMIN B12 and FOLIC ACID.
Child Nutrition Disorders
Disorders caused by nutritional imbalance, either overnutrition or undernutrition, occurring in children ages 2 to 12 years.
Fetal Nutrition Disorders
Disorders caused by nutritional imbalance, either overnutrition or undernutrition, in the FETUS in utero.
Fetus
The unborn young of a viviparous mammal, in the postembryonic period, after the major structures have been outlined. In humans, the unborn young from the end of the eighth week after CONCEPTION until BIRTH, as distinguished from the earlier EMBRYO, MAMMALIAN.
Hepatorenal Syndrome
Functional KIDNEY FAILURE in patients with liver disease, usually LIVER CIRRHOSIS or portal hypertension (HYPERTENSION, PORTAL), and in the absence of intrinsic renal disease or kidney abnormality. It is characterized by intense renal vasculature constriction, reduced renal blood flow, OLIGURIA, and sodium retention.
Infant Nutrition Disorders
Disorders caused by nutritional imbalance, either overnutrition or undernutrition, occurring in infants ages 1 month to 24 months.
Low Anterior Resection Syndrome
Postoperative complication after removal of the RECTUM (low anterior resection surgery or resection surgery to the lower part of the COLON). It includes disordered rectum function, e.g., frequent BOWEL MOVEMENT; FECAL INCONTINENCE; and CONSTIPATION.
Malnutrition
An imbalanced nutritional status resulting from insufficient intake of nutrients to meet normal physiological requirement.
Postcholecystectomy Syndrome
Abdominal symptoms after removal of the GALLBLADDER. The common postoperative symptoms are often the same as those present before the operation, such as COLIC, bloating, NAUSEA, and VOMITING. There is pain on palpation of the right upper quadrant and sometimes JAUNDICE. The term is often used, inaccurately, to describe such postoperative symptoms not due to gallbladder removal.
Pouchitis
Acute INFLAMMATION in the INTESTINAL MUCOSA of the continent ileal reservoir (or pouch) in patients who have undergone ILEOSTOMY and restorative proctocolectomy (PROCTOCOLECTOMY, RESTORATIVE).
Protein-Energy Malnutrition
The lack of sufficient energy or protein to meet the body's metabolic demands, as a result of either an inadequate dietary intake of protein, intake of poor quality dietary protein, increased demands due to disease, or increased nutrient losses.
Severe Acute Malnutrition
Acute form of MALNUTRITION which usually affects children, characterized by a very low weight for height (below -3z scores of the median World Health Organization standards), visible severe wasting, or occurrence of nutritional EDEMA. It can be a direct or indirect cause of fatality in children suffering from DIARRHEA and PNEUMONIA. Do not confuse with starvation, a condition in which the body is not getting enough food, usually for extended periods of time.
Short Bowel Syndrome
A malabsorption syndrome resulting from extensive operative resection of the SMALL INTESTINE, the absorptive region of the GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT.
Xerostomia
Decreased salivary flow.
About the K91 Code Range
The K91 ICD-10 codes cover a variety of intraoperative and postprocedural complications related to the digestive system that are not classified elsewhere. These codes help document specific issues such as vomiting, intestinal obstruction, hemorrhage, and other digestive system disorders occurring during or after surgery.
The K91.0 code is used for vomiting after gastrointestinal surgery, often called postoperative vomiting or bilious vomiting. Codes like K91.1 represent postgastric surgery syndromes, which include conditions such as dumping syndrome and post-vagotomy syndrome. Malabsorption after surgery, such as short bowel syndrome, is captured under K91.2. Intestinal blockages after procedures fall under multiple codes including K91.3, which distinguishes partial and complete obstructions. Postcholecystectomy syndrome is identified by K91.5, reflecting complications after gallbladder removal. Additional codes, such as K91.6 and K91.7, denote intraoperative hemorrhage and accidental damage to digestive organs during procedures. Other complications including pouchitis, hepatic failure, and postprocedural hemorrhage have their own codes within K91. Medical coders and healthcare professionals use these to precisely document and communicate gastrointestinal complications after surgery, referencing informal terms like dumping syndrome or postoperative ileus to find the appropriate ICD-10 code for digestive system complications.
Questions About This Page
How many billable codes are in the K91 range?
Of the 32 codes in this range, 24 are billable and valid for claim submission from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Category header codes group them but cannot be reported on claims.
What does the K91 range classify?
The range classifies intraoperative and postprocedural complications and disorders of digestive system, not elsewhere classified. Each code links to its own reference page with billing status, MS-DRG grouping, coding notes, and clinical information.
Related References
Source: CMS FY 2026 ICD-10-CM Tabular List and order file, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
