Coccygectomy for treatment of coccydynia: A systematic review of literature

Abstract

Summarizingrthe data presented, coccygectomy appears to be a valid surgical alternativerfor those patients who failed to respond to conservative management. It seems that the most popular surgical technique introduced by Key [10] with total sub-periosteal coccygealrresection, has a trend of better results and fewerrcomplications. Surgeons must be aware that patients with history of spinal or rectal disorders, or withwcompensation issues, had less predictableroutcome compared with those with a history of trauma or childbirthrproblems. Long-lasting pain reliefwis achieved in the vastwmajority of patientsr(approximately 85%), but these benefits are seen only in carefully selected patients. Surgical woundwinfection rates after coccygectomy demand preoperativerbowel preparation, antibiotic prophylaxis, and meticulousrsurgical technique. However, this complication is not usuallyrassociated with a poor outcome.