Acute Appendicitis ICD-10-CM Codes
Read this short guide and learn about acute appendicitis ICD codes you can use. Learn about billing and clinical information.
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What ICD-10 Codes are Used for Acute Appendicitis
Here are several acute appendicitis ICD codes you can use for patients with acute appendicitis:
- K35.20 - Acute appendicitis with generalized peritonitis, without abscess
This ICD-10 code is meant to be used on a patient confirmed to have acute appendicitis (the inflammation of the appendix) and generalized peritonitis (the inflammation of the peritoneum). Despite having these, the patient has no abscesses.
- K35.21 - Acute appendicitis with generalized peritonitis, with abscess
This is the same as Item 1, but this time, there is an abscess.
- K35.30 - Acute appendicitis with localized peritonitis, without perforation or gangrene
This ICD-10 code is meant to be used on a patient with acute appendicitis with localized peritonitis (this type of peritonitis is confined in a certain region of the peritoneal cavity). Despite having both of these, the patient has no perforation (holes) and gangrene (tissue death due to bacterial infections/lack of blood flow).
- K35.31 - Acute appendicitis with localized peritonitis and gangrene, without perforation
This is the same as Item 3, but this time, the patient has gangrene but no perforations.
- K35.32 - Acute appendicitis with perforation, localized peritonitis, and gangrene, without abscess
This is the same as Item 3, but this time, the patient has perforations and gangrene, but there are no abscesses.
- K35.33 - Acute appendicitis with perforation, localized peritonitis, and gangrene, with abscess
This is the same as Item 5, but the patient has abscesses this time.
Are these acute appendicitis ICD codes billable?
Yes. All the aforementioned acute appendicitis-related ICD-10 codes are valid and billable.
Clinical information
- Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix.
- The appendix is this small, worm-shaped muscular structure located on the first part of the large intestine.
- The appendix's function is unknown, but recent efforts in research suggest that the appendix might be serving as a reservoir for beneficial gut flora, but this remains to be fully proven and finalized.
- If the appendix becomes inflamed, it will cause pain in the lower right abdomen.
- If left unchecked and treated, the pain will heighten over time and may lead to complications such as abscesses, perforations, peritonitis, and gangrene.
Synonyms include:
- Acute appendicitis with generalized peritonitis
- Acute appendicitis with peritonitis
- Acute obstructive appendicitis
- Acute obstructive appendicitis with perforation AND peritonitis
- Acute perforated appendicitis
- Acute appendicitis with localized peritonitis
- Rupture of appendix
- Ruptured suppurative appendicitis
- Suppurative appendicitis
- Abscess of appendix
- Acute fulminating appendicitis
- Acute gangrenous appendicitis
- Gangrenous appendicitis
Commonly asked questions
Yes, but we don’t recommend using those because they are invalid.
The appendix can become ruptured and result in the spread of infection. This may lead to peritonitis and death. Abscesses can also form because of appendicitis.
Appendectomies, which is the surgical removal of the appendix. This is the best way to treat it. Antibiotics will be used if there are bacterial infections and abscesses.
