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ICD-10-PCS 2027 procedure code

09N38ZZRelease Right External Auditory Canal, Via Natural or Artificial Opening Endoscopic

✓ Valid for 2027O.R. procedure

Short description: Release Right External Auditory Canal, Endo

Code unchanged since ICD-10-PCS took effect on October 1, 2015. Source: official FY2027 ICD-10-PCS release from CMS. Page updated September 29, 2026. About our data

About 09N38ZZ

09N38ZZ is the ICD-10-PCS code for a release procedure on the right external auditory canal using a via natural or artificial opening endoscopic approach. In ICD-10-PCS, release means freeing a body part from an abnormal physical constraint by cutting or by the use of force.

In plain terms, this corresponds to other operations on external ear, the ICD-9-CM procedure title it maps to (18.9).

For a different body part, codes include 09N48ZZ (left external auditory canal), 09N58ZZ (right middle ear), 09N68ZZ (left middle ear), 09N78ZZ (right tympanic membrane), 09N88ZZ (left tympanic membrane), 09N98ZZ (right auditory ossicle) and 20 more.

The same procedure with a different approach is coded 09N30ZZ (open), 09N33ZZ (percutaneous), 09N34ZZ (percutaneous endoscopic), 09N37ZZ (via natural or artificial opening) and 09N3XZZ (external).

It is an operating-room procedure in the MS-DRG logic for DRG 143 (Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat O.R. Procedures with MCC), DRG 144 (Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat O.R. Procedures with CC), DRG 145 (Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat O.R. Procedures without CC/MCC), DRG 579 (Other Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue and Breast Procedures with MCC), DRG 580 (Other Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue and Breast Procedures with CC) and DRG 581 (Other Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue and Breast Procedures without CC/MCC), under the surgical categories “Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat O.R. Procedures”, “Other Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue and Breast Procedures”, “Other O.R. Procedures for Injuries” and 1 more.

It has been valid since ICD-10-PCS took effect on October 1, 2015.

What each character means

1. Section
0Medical and Surgical
2. Body System
9Ear, Nose, Sinus
3. Operation
NRelease

Freeing a body part from an abnormal physical constraint by cutting or by the use of force

Some of the restraining tissue may be taken out but none of the body part is taken out

Includes: Adhesiolysis, carpal tunnel release

4. Body Part
3External Auditory Canal, Right
5. Approach
8Via Natural or Artificial Opening Endoscopic

Entry of instrumentation through a natural or artificial external opening to reach and visualize the site of the procedure

6. Device
ZNo Device
7. Qualifier
ZNo Qualifier

Other versions of this procedure

MS-DRG v44.0 grouping

All DRGs →

Surgical MS-DRGs this procedure can group to, depending on the principal diagnosis's MDC.

ICD-9-CM equivalent

Converter →
  • 18.9Other operations on external earapproximate

From the CMS 2018 General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), the final GEMs release.

Code history

  1. 2016
  2. 2017
  3. 2018
  4. 2019
  5. 2020
  6. 2021
  7. 2022
  8. 2023
  9. 2024
  10. 2025
  11. 2026
  12. 2027
  • FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
  • No changes since FY2016.

Common questions about 09N38ZZ

Is 09N38ZZ a valid ICD-10-PCS code for 2027?

Yes. 09N38ZZ is valid for inpatient procedures from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

Is 09N38ZZ an O.R. procedure?

Yes. 09N38ZZ is an O.R. procedure in MS-DRG v44.0.

What DRG does 09N38ZZ group to?

Depending on the principal diagnosis, 09N38ZZ can group to MS-DRG 143, MS-DRG 144, MS-DRG 145, MS-DRG 579, MS-DRG 580 and MS-DRG 581.

What is the ICD-9 procedure code for 09N38ZZ?

The CMS GEMs map 09N38ZZ to ICD-9-CM 18.9 (Other operations on external ear).