N49.3

Billable

Fournier gangrene

HCC Category Mapping

V28HCC 92 — Bone/Joint/Muscle Infections/Necrosis

0.209

What This Code Means

A rapidly spreading, life-threatening bacterial infection of the genital area and surrounding tissues that causes tissue death.

Coding Tips

•This is a medical emergency; ensure documentation reflects the severity and urgency of treatment
•Code the causative organism separately if identified (typically polymicrobial); this condition often requires sepsis coding as well

Clinical Significance

Fournier gangrene is a urological emergency with high mortality risk, requiring immediate surgical debridement and aggressive antibiotic therapy. This necrotizing fasciitis of the genitalia and perineum represents one of the most severe soft tissue infections, making accurate coding essential for risk adjustment.

Documentation Requirements

✓Clinical diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis of male genitalia
✓Documentation of tissue necrosis and gangrene
✓Evidence of systemic toxicity or sepsis
✓Surgical debridement or intervention records
✓Microbiological culture results when available
✓Assessment of extent of tissue involvement
✓Treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics
✓Monitoring for complications and organ dysfunction

Commonly Confused Codes

N76.82 — Fournier disease of vagina and vulva (female genital involvement)L03.314 — Cellulitis of groin (superficial infection without necrosis)N45.1 — Epididymitis (localized testicular infection)L08.9 — Local skin and soft tissue infection, unspecified (non-necrotizing)A49.9 — Bacterial infection, unspecified (systemic infection without tissue necrosis)

Code Hierarchy

└N49Inflammatory disorders of male genital organs, not elsewhere classified └N49.3Fournier gangrene

└N49.3Fournier gangrene