Z18 — Retained foreign body fragments
Part of Chapter 21: Factors influencing health status and contact with health services , block Retained foreign body fragments (Z18) .
Official Notes
Includes
embedded fragment (status)
Includes
embedded splinter (status)
Includes
retained foreign body status
Excludes1
artificial joint prosthesis status ( Z96.6- )
Excludes1
foreign body accidentally left during a procedure ( T81.5- )
Excludes1
foreign body entering through orifice (T15-T19)
Excludes1
in situ cardiac device ( Z95 .-)
Excludes1
organ or tissue replaced by transplant ( Z94 .-)
Excludes1
personal history of retained foreign body fully removed Z87.821
Excludes1
superficial foreign body (non-embedded splinter) - code to superficial foreign body, by site
Child Codes
- Z18.0 Retained radioactive fragments Has subcodes
- Z18.1 Retained metal fragments Has subcodes
- Z18.2 Retained plastic fragments Billable
- Z18.3 Retained organic fragments Has subcodes
- Z18.8 Other specified retained foreign body Has subcodes
- Z18.9 Retained foreign body fragments, unspecified material Billable
Referenced By
Official notes on these codes cite Z18.
- H02.81 Retained foreign body in eyelid
- H05.5 Retained (old) foreign body following penetrating wound of orbit
- L92.3 Foreign body granuloma of the skin and subcutaneous tissue Billable
- M60.2 Foreign body granuloma of soft tissue, not elsewhere classified
- R78 Findings of drugs and other substances, not normally found in blood
- R79 Other abnormal findings of blood chemistry
- R82 Other and unspecified abnormal findings in urine
- Z03.82 Encounter for observation for suspected foreign body ruled out
- Z77 Other contact with and (suspected) exposures hazardous to health
FY 2027 effective October 1, 2026 · CDC NCHS and CMS