ICD-10-PCS 2027 procedure code
09N68ZZRelease Left Middle Ear, Via Natural or Artificial Opening Endoscopic
Short description: Release Left Middle Ear, Endo
Code last changed in FY2018 (effective October 1, 2017). Source: official FY2027 ICD-10-PCS release from CMS. Page updated September 29, 2026. About our data
About 09N68ZZ
09N68ZZ is the ICD-10-PCS code for a release procedure on the left middle ear 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 incision of middle ear, the ICD-9-CM procedure title it maps to (20.23).
For a different body part, codes include 09N38ZZ (right external auditory canal), 09N48ZZ (left external auditory canal), 09N58ZZ (right 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 09N60ZZ (open).
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) and DRG 145 (Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat O.R. Procedures without CC/MCC), under the surgical category “Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat O.R. Procedures”.
It was added in FY2018, effective October 1, 2017.
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
- 6Middle Ear, Left
Includes: Oval window; Tympanic cavity
- 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
Different body part
- 09N38ZZExternal Auditory Canal, Right
- 09N48ZZExternal Auditory Canal, Left
- 09N58ZZMiddle Ear, Right
- 09N78ZZTympanic Membrane, Right
- 09N88ZZTympanic Membrane, Left
- 09N98ZZAuditory Ossicle, Right
- 09NA8ZZAuditory Ossicle, Left
- 09NB8ZZMastoid Sinus, Right
- 09NC8ZZMastoid Sinus, Left
- 09ND8ZZInner Ear, Right
- 09NE8ZZInner Ear, Left
- 09NF8ZZEustachian Tube, Right
Different approach
MS-DRG v44.0 grouping
All DRGs →Surgical MS-DRGs this procedure can group to, depending on the principal diagnosis's MDC.
MDC 03 · Diseases and Disorders of the Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat · Other Ear, Nose, Mouth and Throat O.R. Procedures
ICD-9-CM equivalent
Converter →- 20.23Incision of middle earapproximate
From the CMS 2018 General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs), the final GEMs release.
Code history
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
- 2026
- 2027
- FY2018 (effective 10/1/2017): Added
- No changes since FY2018.
Common questions about 09N68ZZ
Is 09N68ZZ a valid ICD-10-PCS code for 2027?
- Yes. 09N68ZZ is valid for inpatient procedures from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Is 09N68ZZ an O.R. procedure?
- Yes. 09N68ZZ is an O.R. procedure in MS-DRG v44.0.
What DRG does 09N68ZZ group to?
- Depending on the principal diagnosis, 09N68ZZ can group to MS-DRG 143, MS-DRG 144 and MS-DRG 145.
What is the ICD-9 procedure code for 09N68ZZ?
- The CMS GEMs map 09N68ZZ to ICD-9-CM 20.23 (Incision of middle ear).