| Coccygectomy | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | surgical oncology |
Coccygectomy is a surgical procedure in which the coccyx or tailbone is removed. It is considered a required treatment for sacrococcygeal teratoma and other germ cell tumors arising from the coccyx. Coccygectomy is the treatment of last resort for coccydynia (coccyx pain) which has failed to respond to nonsurgical treatment. Non surgical treatments include use of seat cushions, external or internal manipulation and massage of the coccyx and the attached muscles, medications given by local injections under fluoroscopic guidance, and medications by mouth.[1]
To remove the coccyx, an incision is made from the tip of the coccyx to its joint with the sacrum. The coccyx is cut away from the surrounding tissues, cut off at the joint with the sacrum, and removed. If the tip of the sacrum is rough, it is filed down. The wound is closed in layers.[2][3]
- ^ Foye PM (2007). "Reasons to delay or avoid coccygectomy for coccyx pain". Injury. 38 (11): 1328–1329. doi:10.1016/j.injury.2007.06.022. PMID 17884057.
- ^ An improved technic of coccygectomy. Clinical Orthopedics, 85: 143-145, 1972. Richard C Gardner. http://www.coccyx.org/medabs/gardner.htm
- ^ Prevention of post-coccygectomy infection in a series of 136 coccygectomies. International Orthopaedics, 2011, 35 (6): 877-81. Doursounian L, Maigne JY, Cherrier B, Pacanowski J. http://www.coccyx.org/medabs/doursou3.htm