ICD-10 Code K85.91 – Acute pancreatitis with uninfected necrosis, unspecified (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K85.91 – Acute pancreatitis with uninfected necrosis, unspecified
What it is
K85.91 identifies acute pancreatitis with pancreatic tissue necrosis that is not infected, when the documentation does not specify the exact cause or extent. Use it for an acute inflammatory episode with necrosis, but no evidence of infection.
Clinical signs
Typical findings include sudden upper abdominal pain, tenderness, nausea, and vomiting. Imaging or clinical documentation should support pancreatic necrosis, and the record should indicate that the necrosis is uninfected; clinical features vary, refer to documentation.
When to use this code
Assign this code when the provider documents acute pancreatitis with necrosis and explicitly states the necrosis is uninfected. It also fits when the diagnosis is confirmed but the specific etiology is not documented. Check documentation if infection, chronic pancreatitis, or another subtype is mentioned.
Do not use for
Do not use K85.91 if the necrosis is infected, if the episode is chronic pancreatitis, or if the record only says acute pancreatitis without necrosis. Check documentation when the wording is unclear.
Coding tip
Code the necrosis status exactly as documented; “uninfected” matters and should not be assumed.