Laminaria

What is a laminaria? When is it used? How would this be coded in ICD-10-PCS? This edition of “In the kNOW” delves into these questions. 

A laminaria is a type of hygroscopic osmotic dilator. These medical devices work to dilate the cervix, which is also called cervical ripening. The hygroscopic osmotic dilator absorbs fluid which makes the device swell up. This process causes the cervix to soften and open. The use of hygroscopic osmotic dilators may be to induce labor or an abortion or provide access for other gynecological procedures.

Laminaria are composed of dried and sterilized seaweed. They are processed into a thin stick which can easily be inserted in the cervix. Over time, the laminaria absorbs fluid and enlarges thus ripening the cervix. Laminaria are rarely kept in place for more than 24 hours and often less. To accurately account for this device when coding in ICD-10-PCS, the April 1st update for 2025 debuted a new Qualifier for this procedure-Temporary. As you can see by the PCS table below, in the Female Reproductive body system, Dilation of the Cervix body part via a natural or artificial opening, with an intraluminal device, the new Qualifier is J for Temporary. The full ICD-10-PCS code would be 0U7C7DJ.

This procedure is considered non-OR and therefore, will not have any impact on the DRG assignment for the account. 

Now you are In the kNOW!!

About the Author

Dianna Foley, RHIA, CCS, CDIP, CHPS, has 25 years of HIM experience. She’s an AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer, an AHIMA-published author, a participant in AHIMA credential item writing and exam development, and served on the AHIMA Nominating Committee. She presents on coding topics at the national, state, and regional levels and serves as OHIMA’s Education Coordinator.