Small Bowel Obstruction ICD-10-CM Codes

Small Bowel Obstruction ICD-10-CM Codes

Read this short guide and learn about small bowel obstruction ICD codes you can use.

By Olivia Sayson on Aug 8, 2025.

Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.

Use Code

What small bowel obstruction ICD codes can I use?

There are no specific small bowel obstruction ICD codes you can use. However, there are three that you can use for patients confirmed to have small bowel obstructions:

  1. K56.609 - Unspecified intestinal obstruction, unspecified as to partial versus complete obstruction

This ICD-10 code is meant to be used on a patient confirmed to have an intestinal obstruction. In the context of this ICD-10 code, it is not specified what the obstruction is or if it’s in the small or large intestines. It’s also not specified if the obstruction is partial or complete obstruction. Given these factors, this can be used on patients with small bowel obstructions.

  1. K56.690 - Other partial intestinal obstruction

This ICD-10 code is meant to be used on a patient confirmed to have a partial intestinal obstruction. So, if you have a patient with partial obstruction of the small bowel, then this ICD-10 code can be used on them.

  1. P76.9 - Intestinal obstruction of newborn, unspecified

This ICD-10 code is meant to be used on a newborn patient confirmed to have intestinal obstruction. What is unspecified is if it’s a partial or complete obstruction, nor is it specified as to what bowel is affected.

Are these small bowel obstruction ICD codes billable?

Yes. All the aforementioned small bowel obstruction-related ICD-10 codes are valid and billable.

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Clinical information about small bowel obstruction:

Small bowel obstructions refer to partial or complete blockages in the small bowel, also known as the small intestine. When the small intestine is free of any obstructions, digested contents smoothly transit to the large intestine. However, in the presence of an obstruction, waste and gas accumulate at the site of blockage.

The symptoms associated with small bowel obstruction include constipation, nausea, bloating, vomiting, abdominal cramps, dehydration, and loss of appetite.

Treatment for small bowel obstructions varies depending on whether the obstruction is partial or complete. Treatment options may involve anti-emetics, active care hospitalisation (including IV fluids, bowel rest, and bowel decompression), or surgical intervention for complete obstructions.

Treatments can include: anti-emetics, hospitalization and active care (involves IV fluids, bowel rest, and bowel decompression), or surgery for complete obstructions.

Synonyms include:

  • Intestinal obstruction
  • Large bowel obstruction
  • Obstructed diaphragmatic hernia
  • Obstruction of colon
  • Peptic ulcer with hemorrhage AND obstruction
  • Peptic ulcer with obstruction
  • Peptic ulcer without hemorrhage AND without perforation
  • Peptic ulcer without hemorrhage AND without perforation but with obstruction
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Commonly asked questions

No. Many ICD-10 codes don’t have the specific terms you might be looking for in their names and instead have different terms, this being one of them.

Some causes of small bowel obstructions are hernias, inflammations in the small intestine, and cancerous tumors.

Abdominal X-rays and CT scans can detect obstructions. Healthcare professionals will likely conduct blood tests and physical examinations first, though.

Related ICDs

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