Basics of Gangrene ICD-10 coding

Gangrene is death of body tissue due to a lack of blood flow or a serious bacterial infection. Gangrene commonly affects the arms and legs, including the toes and fingers.

I96 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes.

Type 1 Excludes

gangrene in atherosclerosis of native arteries of the extremities (I70.26)
gangrene in hernia (K40.1, K40.4, K41.1, K41.4, K42.1, K43.1-, K44.1, K45.1, K46.1)
gangrene in other peripheral vascular diseases (I73.-)
gangrene of certain specified sites – see Alphabetical Index
gas gangrene (A48.0)
pyoderma gangrenosum (L88)

Type 2 Excludes

gangrene in diabetes mellitus (E08-E13 with .52)

Signs and symptoms | Gangrene ICD-10 coding

When gangrene affects the skin, signs and symptoms may include:

• Skin discoloration — ranging from pale to blue, purple, black, bronze or red, depending on the type of gangrene
•  A clear line between healthy and damaged skin
•  Severe pain followed by a feeling of numbness
• A foul-smelling discharge leaking from a sore

If the gangrene affects tissues beneath the surface of the skin, such as gas gangrene or internal gangrene, symptoms include:

• Swollen and very painful tissue
• Fever

Septic shock can occur if a bacterial infection that originated in the gangrenous tissue spreads throughout the body. Signs and symptoms of septic shock include:

• Low blood pressure
• Fever, possibly, though temperature may also run lower than the normal 96.8 F (36 C)
• Rapid heart rate
• Lightheadedness
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion

Related Synonyms of Gangrene ICD-10 code

• Gangrene
• Gangrene due to peripheral vascular disease
• Gangrene of bilateral feet
• Gangrene of both feet
• Gangrene of both fingers
• Gangrene of both toes
• Gangrene of finger of bilateral hands
• Gangrene of finger of left hand
• Gangrene of finger of right hand
• Gangrene of left finger
• Gangrene of left foot
• Gangrene of left toe
• Gangrene of right finger
• Gangrene of right foot
• Gangrene of right toe
• Gangrene of toe of bilateral feet
• Gangrene of toe of left foot
• Gangrene of toe of right foot
• Gangrenous disorder
• Necrotizing fasciitis caused by microorganism
• Necrotizing fasciitis due to infectious organism with gangrene
• Necrotizing fasciitis with gangrene
• Skin necrosis
• Skin tissue necrosis
• Tissue necrosis in peripheral vascular disease

Gangrene ICD-10 coding tips for coders

Report code I96 – Gangrene, gangrenous (connective tissue) (dropsical) (dry) (moist) (skin) (ulcer)
Includes: Gangrene not elsewhere classified (NEC) and Gangrenous cellulitis
Excludes1: gangrene in atherosclerosis of native arteries of the extremities (I70.26)

gangrene in diabetes mellitus (E08-E13)
gangrene in hernia (K40.1, K40.4, K41.1, K41.4, K42.1, K43.1-, K44.1, K45.1, K46.1)
gangrene in other peripheral vascular diseases (I73.-)
gangrene of certain specified sites – see Alphabetical Index
gas gangrene (A48.0)
pyoderma gangrenosum (L88)