ICD-10 Code G89.12 – Acute post-thoracotomy pain (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code G89.12 – Acute post-thoracotomy pain
What it is
G89.12 identifies acute pain that occurs after a thoracotomy, the surgical opening of the chest. Use it when the pain is documented as postoperative and specifically linked to the thoracotomy.
Clinical signs
Patients commonly report chest wall pain at the incision site, often worse with movement, coughing, or deep breathing. Clinical features vary; refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Use this code when the provider documents acute pain as a direct result of a thoracotomy procedure. It may appear in postoperative notes, progress notes, or discharge summaries. Code it only when the relationship to thoracotomy is clearly stated.
Do not use for
Do not use it for chronic post-thoracotomy pain or for nonspecific chest pain without a documented surgical cause. Check documentation if the pain is better described by another postoperative or general pain code.
Coding tip
Link the pain to the thoracotomy in the record before assigning G89.12.