J38.02 Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, bilateral

Billable ICD-10-CM code, FY2026.

Applies from J38 Diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified

Excludes1 (never code together)

• congenital laryngeal stridor (P28.89)
• obstructive laryngitis (acute) (J05.0)
• postprocedural subglottic stenosis (J95.5)
• stridor (R06.1)
• ulcerative laryngitis (J04.0)

Applies from J38.0 Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx

Applicable to

• Laryngoplegia
• Paralysis of glottis

MS-DRG index

Defines the logic of DRG(s) 011-013 in MDC PRE.

Approximate ICD-9-CM (GEMs)

• 478.33 Bilateral paralysis of vocal cords or larynx, partial (approximate)
• 478.34 Bilateral paralysis of vocal cords or larynx, complete (approximate)

Diagnosis Index entries for J38.02

• Compression › laryngeal nerve, recurrent › with paralysis of vocal cords and larynx › bilateral
• Gerhardt's › syndrome (vocal cord paralysis) › bilateral
• Laryngoplegia › bilateral
• Paralysis, paralytic (complete) (incomplete) › glottis › bilateral
• Paralysis, paralytic (complete) (incomplete) › laryngeal nerve (recurrent) (superior) (unilateral) › bilateral
• Paralysis, paralytic (complete) (incomplete) › larynx › bilateral
• Paralysis, paralytic (complete) (incomplete) › vocal cords › bilateral

Nearby codes

• J38 Diseases of vocal cords and larynx, not elsewhere classified
• J38.0 Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx
• J38.00 Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unspecified
• J38.01 Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, unilateral
• J38.02 Paralysis of vocal cords and larynx, bilateral (this code)
• J38.1 Polyp of vocal cord and larynx
• J38.2 Nodules of vocal cords
• J38.3 Other diseases of vocal cords
• J38.4 Edema of larynx
• J38.5 Laryngeal spasm