ICD-10 Code D78.21 – Postprocedural hemorrhage of the spleen following a procedure on the spleen (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code D78.21 – Postprocedural hemorrhage of the spleen following a procedure on the spleen
What it is
D78.21 identifies bleeding from the spleen that occurs after a procedure performed on the spleen. Use it when the documentation clearly links the hemorrhage to the splenic procedure.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Typical notes may describe postoperative splenic bleeding, abdominal pain, hemodynamic instability, or imaging evidence of hemorrhage after splenic intervention.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents postprocedural hemorrhage involving the spleen after surgery, biopsy, or another splenic procedure. It applies when the bleeding is a complication of that procedure, not a preexisting splenic injury. Check documentation if the source of bleeding is unclear.
Do not use for
Do not use it for splenic hemorrhage unrelated to a procedure or for bleeding from another organ. If the record does not specify a postoperative splenic complication, check documentation.
Coding tip
Always verify that the hemorrhage is explicitly documented as postprocedural and linked to the spleen before assigning D78.21.