ICD-10 Code K91.5 – Postcholecystectomy syndrome (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K91.5 – Postcholecystectomy syndrome
What it is
K91.5 identifies postcholecystectomy syndrome, a group of persistent or recurring symptoms after gallbladder removal. It is used when the documentation links ongoing problems to the prior cholecystectomy.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly recorded findings include ongoing abdominal pain, dyspepsia, nausea, or other biliary-type complaints after surgery.
When to use this code
Use K91.5 when the provider documents postcholecystectomy syndrome or clearly attributes current symptoms to the prior gallbladder surgery. It fits follow-up visits for persistent post-op biliary complaints. If the record only describes nonspecific abdominal symptoms without that link, check documentation.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for routine postoperative pain, expected recovery, or unrelated gastrointestinal disease. If the symptoms are due to a separate confirmed diagnosis, code that condition instead.
Coding tip
Confirm that the chart explicitly connects the symptoms to prior cholecystectomy before assigning K91.5.