J38.0
Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx
J38.0 is a non-billable ICD-10-CM code header for paralysis of vocal cords and larynx. Report a more specific code from it instead. It is part of the FY2027 code set, effective October 1, 2026. The more specific codes under it are J38.00 Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unspecified; J38.01 Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unilateral and J38.02 Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, bilateral. Its coding notes include a Use additional code instruction, 5 Excludes1 entries and 9 Excludes2 entries.
Use additional code
Add the listed code as a secondary code, if known.
Also from chapter/block level (7 notes)
Excludes1
Not coded here. The listed conditions generally should not be reported together.
Excludes2
Not included here. Both codes may be reported if the patient has both conditions.
Also from chapter/block level (9 notes)
- certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P04-P96)
- certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99)
- complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
- congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
- endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E88)
- injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)
- neoplasms (C00-D49)
- smoke inhalation (T59.81-)
- symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R94)
Inclusion terms
Conditions classified to this code.
- Laryngoplegia
- Paralysis of glottis
Notes
Also from chapter/block level (1 note)
- When a respiratory condition is described as occurring in more than one site and is not specifically indexed, it should be classified to the lower anatomic site (e.g. tracheobronchitis to bronchitis in J40).