A third character of D in the Obstetrics Section represents what type of procedure?

In the Obstetrics Section of the ICD-10-PCS coding system, a third character of 'D' indicates an extraction procedure. Extraction refers specifically to the removal of the products of conception or any other related material during the obstetric procedure.

This choice is rooted in the structure of ICD-10-PCS codes, where the third character defines the specific type of procedure being performed. In the context of obstetric procedures, this helps differentiate between various interventions, such as performing a delivery versus extracting products of conception.

Understanding this is critical for accurately coding procedures and ensuring proper classification and reporting within the medical billing and health records system. The focus here is on the intention and outcome of the surgical intervention, which is to extract rather than to perform a delivery or any other type of procedure listed in the options.