K27.1

Billable

Acute peptic ulcer, site unspecified, with perforation

HCC Category Mapping

V28HCC 78 — Intestinal Obstruction/Perforation

0.000

V24HCC 33 — Intestinal Obstruction/Perforation

0.226

ESRDHCC 33 — Intestinal Obstruction/Perforation

0.000

What This Code Means

A sudden peptic ulcer at an unspecified location that has perforated, creating a hole through the wall.

Coding Tips

•Perforation is a serious complication often requiring surgical intervention; ensure this is documented
•Verify the site is truly unspecified; if known, use more specific K25 or K26 codes

Clinical Significance

Acute peptic ulcer of unspecified site with perforation is used when an acute ulcer perforates but the specific anatomic location (gastric, duodenal, or gastrojejunal) cannot be determined from the documentation. Perforation of any peptic ulcer site is a surgical emergency requiring urgent intervention. This code should prompt a query for site specification whenever possible.

Documentation Requirements

✓Provider documentation of acute peptic ulcer with perforation
✓Evidence of perforation (free air on imaging, peritoneal signs, or operative findings)
✓Acuity confirmed as acute
✓Documentation that the specific ulcer site was NOT identified or is truly unknown
✓Surgical findings and intervention details

Commonly Confused Codes

K25.1 — Acute gastric ulcer with perforation: use when the gastric site is documented K26.1 — Acute duodenal ulcer with perforation: use when the duodenal site is documented K28.1 — Acute gastrojejunal ulcer with perforation: use when gastrojejunal site is documented K27.2 — Acute peptic ulcer, site unspecified, with both hemorrhage and perforation: when bleeding is also present K27.5 — Chronic or unspecified peptic ulcer, site unspecified, with perforation: chronic or unspecified acuity

Code Hierarchy

└K27Peptic ulcer, site unspecified └K27.1Acute peptic ulcer, site unspecified, with perforation

└K27.1Acute peptic ulcer, site unspecified, with perforation