AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS - 2025 Issue 1; Ask the Editor

Vocal Cord Paralysis due to Sacrifice of Laryngeal Nerve During Parathyroidectomy

A patient is admitted for removal of recurrent parathyroid carcinoma from the left tracheoesophageal groove. The documentation indicates the laryngeal nerve was encased in the parathyroid mass. The nerve was sacrificed and resected during parathyroidectomy. The patient subsequently developed hoarseness. An ENT specialist was consulted post-operatively and documented “status post resection with sacrifice of left recurrent laryngeal nerve resulting in left vocal fold paralysis.” Is it appropriate to assign a postoperative complication code for vocal cord paralysis caused by an unavoidable resection of the laryngeal nerve during surgery to remove the parathyroid tumor? ...

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