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ICD-10/S27.81

S27.81 ICD-10-CM Code: Injury of esophagus (thoracic part)

Billing Status: NO. This is a clinician non-billable / parent hierarchy grouping in the ICD-10-CM system.

Code Set: Valid FY2026 and FY2027. FY2026 took effect October 1, 2025.

Official Registry Overview & Definition

Injury of esophagus (thoracic part) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code (S27.81). A more specific billable subcode must be selected for claims submission.

Official Tabular Instructional Notes

Sequencing, inclusion, and exclusion notes published for S27.81 in the official ICD-10-CM tabular list.

Includes

Conditions the official ICD-10-CM tabular list includes under this code.

  • injuries of breast
  • injuries of chest (wall)
  • injuries of interscapular area

Excludes2 — Not Included Here

Conditions not covered by this code, but which may be reported alongside it when both are present.

  • injury of cervical esophagus (S10-S19)
  • injury of trachea (cervical) (S10-S19)
  • burns and corrosions (T20-T32)
  • effects of foreign body in bronchus (T17.5)
  • effects of foreign body in esophagus (T18.1)
  • effects of foreign body in lung (T17.8)
  • effects of foreign body in trachea (T17.4)
  • frostbite (T33-T34)
  • injuries of axilla
  • injuries of clavicle
  • injuries of scapular region
  • injuries of shoulder
  • insect bite or sting, venomous (T63.4)

Code Also

Additional codes that may be required to fully describe the encounter.

  • any associated open wound of thorax (S21.-)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Clinical Guidance

Can S27.81 be billed directly?

No. S27.81 (Injury of esophagus (thoracic part)) is a non-billable ICD-10-CM category code. A more specific billable subcode must be selected based on clinical documentation.

Does S27.81 require a 7th character?

Yes. The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S27.

Nearest Codes in This Family

Official ICD-10-CM classifications closest to S27.81 in its code family, with their registry titles.

  • S27.808S — Other injury of diaphragm, sequela
  • S27.809 — Unspecified injury of diaphragm
  • S27.809A — Unspecified injury of diaphragm, initial encounter
  • S27.809D — Unspecified injury of diaphragm, subsequent encounter
  • S27.809S — Unspecified injury of diaphragm, sequela
  • S27.812 — Contusion of esophagus (thoracic part)
  • S27.812A — Contusion of esophagus (thoracic part), initial encounter
  • S27.812D — Contusion of esophagus (thoracic part), subsequent encounter
  • S27.812S — Contusion of esophagus (thoracic part), sequela
  • S27.813 — Laceration of esophagus (thoracic part)

View all codes in the S27 family