AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS - 2017 Issue 3; Ask the Editor

Bilateral Escharotomy of Leg, Thigh and Foot

A patient with circumferential burns and no pedal pulses underwent bilateral escharotomies of the lower leg and upper thigh as well as bilateral escharotomies of both feet down to the level of the fascia. The escharotomies were performed on the right and left medial aspect of the lower leg, where an incision was carried down through the dermis and including the subcutaneous fat. Escharotomy was also done on the right and left upper lateral thigh, where dissection was carried down through the dermis to the subcutaneous fat. Two additional escharotomies were performed bilaterally on the dorsal aspect of the foot extending from the web spaces to the base of the skin. What is the correct root operation for the escharotomies, “Division” or “Release”? ...

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