From the Research
The ICD-10 code for an intra-abdominal abscess is K65.1. This code falls under the category of peritonitis and peritoneal infections in the ICD-10 classification system. Intra-abdominal abscesses are localized collections of pus within the abdominal cavity, typically resulting from bacterial infections. These infections often develop as complications of conditions such as appendicitis, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, or following abdominal surgery. When documenting this condition in medical records, it's essential to also code any underlying cause if known, as well as any organisms identified through culture. Treatment typically involves drainage of the abscess (either surgically or via percutaneous drainage guided by imaging) combined with appropriate antibiotic therapy, as discussed in studies such as 1, which highlights the importance of considering antibiotic resistance in the treatment of intra-abdominal abscesses. The specific antibiotic regimen depends on the suspected organisms, often requiring broad-spectrum coverage for mixed aerobic and anaerobic bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract, with considerations for antibiotic concentrations in abscesses as evaluated in 2. Key points to consider in the management of intra-abdominal abscesses include:
- Prompt drainage and appropriate antibiotic selection
- Consideration of antibiotic resistance patterns, as noted in 1
- The use of imaging techniques for diagnosis and guidance of percutaneous drainage, as discussed in 3
- The importance of coding underlying causes and identified organisms in medical records for accurate documentation and treatment planning.