ICD-10-PCS 2027 procedure code
03NN0ZZRelease Left External Carotid Artery, Open Approach
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 03NN0ZZ
03NN0ZZ is the ICD-10-PCS code for a release procedure on the left external carotid artery using an open 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 Freeing of vessel, the ICD-9-CM procedure title it maps to (39.91).
For a different body part, codes include 03N00ZZ (right internal mammary artery), 03N10ZZ (left internal mammary artery), 03N20ZZ (innominate artery), 03N30ZZ (right subclavian artery), 03N40ZZ (left subclavian artery), 03N50ZZ (right axillary artery) and 23 more.
The same procedure with a different approach is coded 03NN3ZZ (percutaneous) and 03NN4ZZ (percutaneous endoscopic).
It is an operating-room procedure in the MS-DRG logic for DRG 252 (Other Vascular Procedures with MCC), DRG 253 (Other Vascular Procedures with CC) and DRG 254 (Other Vascular Procedures without CC/MCC), under the surgical category “Other Vascular Procedures”.
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
- 3Upper Arteries
- 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
- NExternal Carotid Artery, Left
Includes: Ascending pharyngeal artery; Internal maxillary artery; Lingual artery; Maxillary artery; Occipital artery; Posterior auricular artery; Superior thyroid artery
- 5. Approach
- 0Open
Cutting through the skin or mucous membrane and any other body layers necessary to expose the site of the procedure
- 6. Device
- ZNo Device
- 7. Qualifier
- ZNo Qualifier
Other versions of this procedure
Different body part
- 03N00ZZInternal Mammary Artery, Right
- 03N10ZZInternal Mammary Artery, Left
- 03N20ZZInnominate Artery
- 03N30ZZSubclavian Artery, Right
- 03N40ZZSubclavian Artery, Left
- 03N50ZZAxillary Artery, Right
- 03N60ZZAxillary Artery, Left
- 03N70ZZBrachial Artery, Right
- 03N80ZZBrachial Artery, Left
- 03N90ZZUlnar Artery, Right
- 03NA0ZZUlnar Artery, Left
- 03NB0ZZRadial Artery, 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 05 · Diseases and Disorders of the Circulatory System · Other Vascular Procedures
ICD-9-CM equivalent
Converter →- 39.91Freeing of vesselapproximate
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
- FY2016 (effective 10/1/2015): Added (first year of ICD-10-CM)
- No changes since FY2016.
Common questions about 03NN0ZZ
Is 03NN0ZZ a valid ICD-10-PCS code for 2027?
- Yes. 03NN0ZZ is valid for inpatient procedures from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Is 03NN0ZZ an O.R. procedure?
- Yes. 03NN0ZZ is an O.R. procedure in MS-DRG v44.0.
What DRG does 03NN0ZZ group to?
- Depending on the principal diagnosis, 03NN0ZZ can group to MS-DRG 252, MS-DRG 253 and MS-DRG 254.
What is the ICD-9 procedure code for 03NN0ZZ?
- The CMS GEMs map 03NN0ZZ to ICD-9-CM 39.91 (Freeing of vessel).