Retained foreign body fragments (Z18)
ICD-10 code range Z18 covers retained foreign body fragments, detailing various types such as metal, radioactive, plastic, organic, glass, and other materials left inside the body after medical procedures, injuries, or accidents.
The codes specifically identify and classify retained foreign objects like radioactive fragments (Z18.0, Z18.01), metal fragments including magnetic and nonmagnetic types (Z18.1 series), and plastic or organic fragments such as animal quills or wood splinters (Z18.2, Z18.3, Z18.31, Z18.33). Each code helps medical coders document conditions accurately, capturing details like "Retained magnetic metal fragments" (Z18.11) or "Retained glass fragments" (Z18.81). The range also includes codes for less common retained materials like stones or crystalline fragments (Z18.83), and other specified or unspecified foreign bodies (Z18.8, Z18.89, Z18.9). Many of these codes connect with common terminology such as "metal foreign body," "fishing hook foreign body," "wood splinter," or "sea-urchin granuloma," supporting precise coding in complex cases involving foreign material retained after injury or surgery.
Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00–Z99)
Retained foreign body fragments (Z18)
Z18 Retained foreign body fragments
Z18.0 Retained radioactive fragments
- Z18.01 Retained depleted uranium fragments
- Z18.09 Other retained radioactive fragments
Z18.1 Retained metal fragments
- Z18.10 Retained metal fragments, unspecified
- Z18.11 Retained magnetic metal fragments
- Z18.12 Retained nonmagnetic metal fragments
- Z18.2 Retained plastic fragments
Z18.3 Retained organic fragments
- Z18.31 Retained animal quills or spines
- Z18.32 Retained tooth
- Z18.33 Retained wood fragments
- Z18.39 Other retained organic fragments
Z18.8 Other specified retained foreign body
- Z18.81 Retained glass fragments
- Z18.83 Retained stone or crystalline fragments
- Z18.89 Other specified retained foreign body fragments
- Z18.9 Retained foreign body fragments, unspecified material
Retained foreign body fragments (Z18)
Instructional Notations
Includes
This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.
- embedded fragment (status)
- embedded splinter (status)
- retained foreign body status
Type 1 Excludes
A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.
- artificial joint prosthesis status Z96.6
- foreign body accidentally left during a procedure T81.5
- foreign body entering through orifice T15 T19
- in situ cardiac device Z95
- organ or tissue replaced by means other than transplant Z96 Z97
- organ or tissue replaced by transplant Z94
- personal history of retained foreign body fully removed Z87.821
- superficial foreign body (non-embedded splinter) - code to superficial foreign body, by site
