K56.60

Approximate Synonyms

• Bowel obstruction

• Intestinal obstruction

• Obstruction of colon

• Partial obstruction of small bowel

• Partial small bowel obstruction

• Recurrent intestinal obstruction

• Small bowel obstruction

• Stricture of colon

Clinical Information

• An intestinal obstruction occurs when food or stool cannot move through the intestines. The obstruction can be complete or partial. There are many causes. The most common are adhesions, hernias, cancers, and certain medicines. Symptoms include

• Any impairment, arrest, or reversal of the normal flow of intestinal contents toward the anal canal.

• Any impairment, arrest, or reversal of the normal flow of intestinal contents toward the anus.

• Blockage of the normal flow of the intestinal contents within the bowel.

Details

• K56.60 should not be used for reimbursement purposes as there are multiple codes below it that contain a greater level of detail.

• The 2023 edition of ICD-10-CM K56.60 became effective on October 1, 2022.

• This is the American ICD-10-CM version of K56.60 – other international versions of ICD-10 K56.60 may differ.