COCCYGECTOMY Meaning and
Definition
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A coccygectomy refers to a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the coccyx, which is the small bone at the base of the spine. Also known as tailbone, the coccyx consists of three to five fused vertebrae located at the bottom of the spinal column. The procedure is typically performed to alleviate chronic pain in the region caused by injury or trauma to the coccyx, or in cases where it is highly misshapen.
During a coccygectomy, the patient is placed under general anesthesia, and a small incision is made in the area above the coccyx. Careful dissection is carried out to expose the bone, which is then carefully detached from the surrounding tissues. In some cases, if the coccyx is fragmented or partially fused, it may need to be dissected further for a complete removal. Once the coccyx is extracted, the incision is closed with sutures, and a sterile dressing is applied to promote proper healing.
Coccygectomy is considered a last resort treatment option, used only when other nonsurgical measures such as physical therapy, medication, or injections have failed to relieve the patient's symptoms of coccydynia (coccyx pain). It is important to note that despite the procedure's benefits, there are risks involved, including infection, bleeding, nerve damage, and potential complications related to anesthesia.
Post-surgery, patients may experience pain and discomfort, which can be managed using pain medications, icing the area, and adopting proper sitting and sleeping positions. Additionally, they may need to avoid activities that put pressure on the coccyx and follow a rehabilitation program to strengthen the surrounding muscles.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for COCCYGECTOMY
- coccygectoey
- coccygectoiy
- coccygectooy
- coccygectoly
- coccygectom9
- coccygectomi
- coccygectomq
- coccygectomx
- coccygectwomy
- c occygectomy
- co ccygectomy
- coc cygectomy
- cocc ygectomy
- coccy gectomy
- coccyg ectomy
- coccyge ctomy
- coccygec tomy
- coccygect omy
- coccygecto my
- coccygectom y
Etymology of COCCYGECTOMY
The word "coccygectomy" is derived from combining two elements: "coccyx" and "ectomy".
1. "Coccyx" refers to the small triangular bone at the base of the spinal column, commonly known as the tailbone. It comes from the Greek word "kokkyx" (κόκκυξ), meaning "cuckoo" or "beak", because of its resemblance to a bird's beak. The coccyx is considered a vestigial tailbone, as it is a remnant of a tail that our primate ancestors possessed.
2. The suffix "-ectomy" is commonly used in medical terminology and comes from the Greek "ektomē" (ἐκτομή), meaning "excision" or "removal". It is used to indicate the surgical removal of a specified body part.
