ICD-10 Code K91.2 – Postsurgical malabsorption, not elsewhere classified (2026): Diagnosis, Symptoms & Billing Guide
2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code K91.2 – Postsurgical malabsorption, not elsewhere classified
What it is
K91.2 identifies malabsorption that develops after surgery. Use it when the record shows impaired nutrient absorption as a postoperative complication, and no more specific code applies.
Clinical signs
Clinical features vary; refer to documentation. Commonly, you may see weight loss, diarrhea, steatorrhea, or nutritional deficiencies after gastrointestinal surgery.
When to use this code
Use K91.2 when the provider documents postsurgical malabsorption as the diagnosis or complication. It may apply after bowel resection, gastric bypass, or other operations that reduce absorptive capacity.
Code it only when the chart links the malabsorption to the prior surgery. If the record describes another specific postoperative digestive disorder, use the more specific diagnosis instead.
Do not use for
Do not use this code for malabsorption unrelated to surgery, or when the cause is documented as a different disease. Check documentation if the postoperative complication is described more specifically.
Coding tip
Verify that the surgeon or treating clinician explicitly connects the malabsorption to the procedure before assigning K91.2.