03.01.07
March Question of the Month
Q: A patient sustains a stab wound to the left ventricle which also penetrates the septum. What are the correct codes for this injury?
A:
Left ventricle laceration - 441012.5
Septum laceration - 441300.5
Pericardium laceration - 441602.2
The rule for penetrating injury is to code the underlying injuries but not the skin wound. Although the pericardium is not mentioned, the only way to the ventricle and the septum is through the pericardium and it may also be coded.