ICD-10 Code J95.81 – Postprocedural pneumothorax and air leak (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code J95.81 – Postprocedural pneumothorax and air leak
What it is
J95.81 identifies a pneumothorax or air leak that occurs as a complication after a procedure. Use it when documentation links the lung collapse or escaping air directly to the procedure.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Common findings may include new chest pain, shortness of breath, decreased breath sounds, or imaging evidence of pleural air after an intervention.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents postprocedural pneumothorax, air leak, or both as a complication of surgery or another invasive procedure. It also fits cases where imaging confirms the complication and the note clearly attributes it to the procedure. Check documentation if causality is unclear.
Do not use for
Do not use J95.81 for spontaneous pneumothorax or for pleural air present before the procedure. If the record does not support a postprocedural cause, code the condition documented instead.
Coding tip
Look for explicit provider wording that ties the pneumothorax or air leak to the procedure before assigning J95.81.