Coccygectomy in the surgical treatment of traumatic coccygodynia.
OBJECTIVE
Direct or indirect trauma to the coccygeal bone can induce chronic coccygodynia. The aim of this study is a retrospective analysis of our patients surgically managed for traumatic coccygodynia and a critical review of the results obtained in comparison to the literature.


METHODS
We have retrospectively investigated patients with traumatic coccygodynia referred to our centre after a failure of conservative treatment. Surgery (coccygectomy) was performed in 74 patients (64 women, 10 men) suffering from coccygodynia resistant to conservative treatment, all without serious complications, between the years 1998 and 2004. The mean follow up was 4.1 years (range, 2-8 years). The mean age of patients on the date of surgery was 43.4 years (range, 16-65 years). The average duration of pain prior to surgery was 7 months (range, 3 months to one year).


RESULTS
All but three patients had either good or excellent results after surgery. Three patients reported postoperative pain lasting 3-6 months. All three had good results after re-operation of a proximal segment without excision. Five postoperative complications, four superficial and one deep infection were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with posttraumatic, conservative therapy-resistant coccygodynia, operative treatment with coccygectomy is a feasible management option. We recommend total or partial coccygectomy using a longitudinal incision in carefully selected and well-informed patients.
Sehirlioglu
Ali
A
Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ankara, Turkey.
Ozturk
Cagatay
C
Oguz
Erbil
E
Emre
Tuluhan
T
Bek
Dogan
D
Altinmakas
Mehmet
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003050:Coccyx / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome