AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS - 2025 Issue 1; Ask the Editor
Bartholin’s Abscess Complicating Delivery
A patient underwent a repeat low transverse cesarean section. During surgery, a large right Bartholin’s abscess was drained and marsupialized. It appears that an additional code should be reported to capture the Bartholin’s abscess which is a specific type of infection. However, there is an Excludes1 note at the beginning of categories N70-N77 that prohibits assigning code N75.1, Abscess of Bartholin’s gland, with codes in category O23, Infections of genitourinary tract in pregnancy, as well as code O75.3, Other infection during labor. In addition, the Alphabetic Index under “Pregnancy, complicated by, abscess or cellulitis,” leads to an unspecified code that describes unspecified genitourinary tract infection in pregnancy (O23.9). Code O23.593, Infection of other part of genital tract in pregnancy, third trimester, seems more appropriate. Would code O75.3 or code O23.593 be appropriate to report for the Bartholin’s abscess that was found during the delivery? ...
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Article Overview
This premium article addresses a coding scenario involving a Bartholin’s abscess identified and treated during a repeat cesarean delivery. It explains the broader ICD-10-CM category relationships that affect whether an additional diagnosis code may be reported, and it is relevant to inpatient coders, OB/GYN coders, and compliance reviewers working with maternity-related records.
Why This Topic Matters
Obstetric surgical cases can involve overlapping diagnosis categories that change how diagnoses are reported. Understanding the applicable ICD-10-CM relationships helps coders avoid unsupported reporting in maternity and genitourinary infection cases.
Article Sections
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Case scenario and coding issue
Introduces an obstetric surgical case involving a Bartholin’s abscess and frames the question of whether an additional diagnosis should be captured.
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ICD-10-CM category guidance
Summarizes the relevant ICD-10-CM category relationship discussion for pregnancy-related genitourinary infection reporting and related exclusions.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames a Bartholin’s abscess in the setting of delivery-related surgery
- How ICD-10-CM category relationships can affect reporting in maternity records
- Why code grouping and exclusion guidance matters in obstetric infection scenarios
- How to review documentation for related infection and pregnancy coding considerations
Who Should Read This
- Inpatient coders
- OB/GYN coders
- Coding compliance staff
- Clinical documentation specialists
- Revenue cycle professionals
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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