ICD-10-CM · Chapter 21 · Z00-Z99
Z18 Retained foreign body fragments
Includes
- embedded fragment (status)
- embedded splinter (status)
- retained foreign body status
Excludes 1 (cannot be coded together)
- artificial joint prosthesis status (Z96.6-)
- foreign body accidentally left during a procedure (T81.5-)
- foreign body entering through orifice (T15-T19)
- in situ cardiac device (Z95.-)
- organ or tissue replaced by means other than transplant (Z96.-, Z97.-)
- organ or tissue replaced by transplant (Z94.-)
- personal history of retained foreign body fully removed Z87.821
- superficial foreign body (non-embedded splinter) - code to superficial foreign body, by site
Subcodes
Subcodes are listed below for reference. Detail pages are not available for chapters 11–22.
| Code | Description | Billable |
|---|---|---|
| Z18..0 | Retained radioactive fragments | No |
| Z18..01 | Retained depleted uranium fragments | Yes |
| Z18..09 | Other retained radioactive fragments | Yes |
| Z18..1 | Retained metal fragments | No |
| Z18..10 | Retained metal fragments, unspecified | Yes |
| Z18..11 | Retained magnetic metal fragments | Yes |
| Z18..12 | Retained nonmagnetic metal fragments | Yes |
| Z18..2 | Retained plastic fragments | Yes |
| Z18..3 | Retained organic fragments | No |
| Z18..31 | Retained animal quills or spines | Yes |
| Z18..32 | Retained tooth | Yes |
| Z18..33 | Retained wood fragments | Yes |
| Z18..39 | Other retained organic fragments | Yes |
| Z18..8 | Other specified retained foreign body | No |
| Z18..81 | Retained glass fragments | Yes |
| Z18..83 | Retained stone or crystalline fragments | Yes |
| Z18..89 | Other specified retained foreign body fragments | Yes |
| Z18..9 | Retained foreign body fragments, unspecified material | Yes |
Last reviewed: September 2026