Coccygectomy for refractory coccydynia: A single-center experience

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of coccygectomy for patients with refractory coccydynia as regards the intensity of pain and the satisfaction of the cases. It is a retrospective study conducted upon 14 patients presented with refractory coccydynia; conservative treatment failure for a period of at least 6 months before surgery from 2016 to 2019. The follow up of the cases was for at least 6 months after surgery. From 14 cases, 13 cases were female (92.86%) and one male (7.14%): 9 cases (64.29%) were traumatic and 5 cases (35.71%) were idiopathic. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was significantly decreased at 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively and at the end of the study compared to preoperative VAS. Complete subsidence of preoperative pain (VAS = 0) was noted in 6 cases (35.71%), improvement was in 7 cases (50%) (VAS < 4) and VAS decreased from 8 to 6 in only one case (7.14%). Absolute satisfaction was noted in 85.72% of total cases, 7.14% was satisfied’ and 7.14% was dissatisfied. Regarding postoperative complications; one patient had wound dehiscence and another patient had local wound infection. Coccygectomy is an effective surgical method for relieving pain in patients with refractory coccydynia with minimal complications.