Coccygectomy

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Coccygectomy is surgery to remove an unstable, dislocated, or broken coccyx after an injury. The coccyx is the small, triangular, tail-like bone near your anus, made up of 3 to 5 smaller bones. It has 2 to 3 parts joined together to form the end of your spine. A direct blow to the area near your anus may damage or break the coccyx. This may occur during a physical fight, or in contact sports. A coccyx injury may also happen during accidents, such as in a bad fall or car accident. The coccyx may break as a woman delivers a baby. In some cases, you may have coccyx pain but not know the reason why. Some or all of your coccyx bones may need to be removed. Coccygectomy is usually done to relieve symptoms, such as pain and tenderness, after all other treatments have failed.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

• You may have an allergic reaction to the anesthesia medicine. You could have trouble breathing, bleed more than expected, or get an infection. An infection may lead to your wound not healing as it should, and you may need to have surgery done again. Nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, muscles, and bones may be damaged during surgery. After surgery you may have tingling or lose feeling in the area where surgery was done. After surgery you may still have pain or have trouble going back to your usual activities, including sports.
  
  
• Surgery increases your risk of getting a blood clot in your leg or arm. This can cause pain and swelling, and it can stop blood from flowing where it needs to go in your body. The blood clot can break loose and travel to your lungs. A blood clot in your lungs can cause chest pain and trouble breathing. This problem can be life-threatening. If you do not have a coccygectomy, the pain and problems you have may get worse. Call your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your surgery, medicine or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Before your surgery:

• Informed consent: A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.
  
  
• IV: An IV (intravenous) is a small tube placed in your vein that is used to give you medicine or liquids.
  
  
• General anesthesia: Caregivers use this medicine to keep you asleep and free from pain during surgery. They give you anesthesia through your IV or as a gas. You may breathe in the gas through a mask or through a breathing tube placed down your throat. The tube may cause you to have a sore throat when you wake up.
  
  
• Pre-op care: You may be given medicine right before your procedure or surgery. This medicine may make you feel relaxed and sleepy. You are taken on a stretcher to the room where your procedure or surgery will be done, and then you are moved to a table or bed.
  
  
• Vital signs: Caregivers will check your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and temperature. They will also ask about your pain. These vital signs give caregivers information about your current health.

During your surgery:

An incision (cut) will be made on your lower back, a few inches above the opening of your anus. Tissues and muscles will be cut and separated to show the damaged or broken coccyx. Your caregiver will remove all or a part of your coccyx. The bones of your coccyx that have been taken may be sent to the lab for tests. Soft tissues, including blood vessels, nerves, and ligaments near the coccyx will be checked and repaired if they are damaged. A drain may be placed to drain fluids from the area. Your wound will be closed with sutures (stitches).

After your surgery:

You will be taken to a room where you can rest. Caregivers will check on you. You may be allowed to get out of bed and walk as soon as you are able to without too much pain. When caregivers see that you are ready, you may be able to go home. If you are staying in the hospital, you will be taken to your hospital room. Do not get out of bed until your caregiver says it is OK. A bandage will cover your stitches. This bandage keeps the area clean and dry to help prevent infection. A caregiver may remove the bandage soon after your surgery to check the area.

Medicines:

You may be given the following medicines:

• Antibiotics: This medicine is given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by bacteria.
  
  
• Antinausea medicine: This medicine may be given to calm your stomach and prevent vomiting.
  
  
• Pain medicine: Caregivers may give you medicine to take away or decrease your pain.
  
  
  • Do not wait until the pain is severe to ask for your medicine. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it.
    
    
  • Pain medicine can make you dizzy or sleepy. Prevent falls by calling a caregiver when you want to get out of bed or if you need help.

Oxygen:

You may need extra oxygen if your blood oxygen level is lower than it should be. You may get oxygen through a mask placed over your nose and mouth or through small tubes placed in your nostrils. Ask your caregiver before you take off the mask or oxygen tubing.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.