K51.212

Billable

Ulcerative (chronic) proctitis with intestinal obstruction

HCC Category Mapping

RxHCCHCC 67 — Inflammatory Bowel Disease

0.000

What This Code Means

A chronic inflammatory condition limited to the rectum that causes a blockage or obstruction in the intestines. This represents ulcerative proctitis with a mechanical complication.

Coding Tips

•Document the location and extent of the intestinal obstruction
•Clarify whether obstruction is due to inflammation or stricture formation from previous inflammation

Clinical Significance

Ulcerative proctitis with intestinal obstruction is an uncommon but serious complication where rectal inflammation causes bowel blockage. Obstruction in the setting of proctitis may indicate severe stricture formation or significant inflammatory edema, requiring urgent evaluation and potentially surgical intervention.

Documentation Requirements

✓Confirmed ulcerative proctitis diagnosis
✓Imaging or clinical evidence of intestinal obstruction
✓Documentation of obstruction severity (partial vs. complete)
✓Provider statement linking the obstruction to the proctitis
✓Treatment plan for obstruction management
✓Surgical consultation documentation if applicable

Commonly Confused Codes

K51.212 vs K56.69 — K56.69 is unspecified intestinal obstruction; use K51.212 when caused by ulcerative proctitis K51.212 vs K51.012 — K51.012 is pancolitis with obstruction; proctitis is limited to rectum K51.212 vs K51.211 — K51.211 is proctitis with rectal bleeding, a different complication

Code Hierarchy

└K51Ulcerative colitis └K51.2Ulcerative (chronic) proctitis └K51.21Ulcerative (chronic) proctitis with complications └K51.212Ulcerative (chronic) proctitis with intestinal obstruction

└K51.212Ulcerative (chronic) proctitis with intestinal obstruction