Mind the gap: paramedian approach for coccygectomy.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Coccydynia is pain in the coccyx that typically occurs idiopathically or from trauma. Most forms are self-limiting. However, if symptoms persist, nonsurgical treatment options can include offloading, NSAIDs, physical therapy, and steroid injections. If all treatment options fail, a growing body of evidence supports a coccygectomy for symptomatic relief. The standard approach for a coccygectomy involves a midline incision cephalad to the anus along the gluteal cleft. Historically, this method has had high rates of infection. PURPOSE: To improve healing and decrease infection rate, we propose the paramedian approach to a coccygectomy. This approach has the benefit of distancing the surgical site from the anus, diminishing the crevice effect of the incision, and increasing the dermal and subdermal thickness for improved surgical closure. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: We present a case series study of 41 patients who underwent the paramedian approach coccygectomy using a 4 to 6 cm incision, approximately 0.5 to 1.5 cm lateral to the midline, for coccyx removal. These patients were evaluated postoperatively to determine infection rate and various outcome measures. PATIENT SAMPLE: Forty-one patients suffering from refractory coccydynia had a coccygectomy via the paramedian approach between 2011 and 2022 by the senior author. OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome measures included self-reported measures (Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain scale and satisfaction with procedure), physiologic measures (presence of infection and treatment provided) and functional measures (return to vocation/avocation). METHODS: Data was compiled and transferred to Microsoft Excel and analyzed. Two-tailed T-tests were used to compare the patient improvement in VAS and ODI as appropriate for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The patients' average age was 45.8 years. Patients' average body mass index was 27.9, with 71% of patients overweight or obese. A total of 68% of patients were female. Trauma was the most common precipitating factor (75.6%). Five patients presented with postoperative complications (12.1%), one requiring an incision and drainage, and four others were treated with antibiotics for wound erythema. Postoperative evaluations showed continual improvement, with the most significant improvement reported greater than 1-year postoperatively. The Visual Analogue Scale for pain dropped from 7.5 to 2.3 (p<.001), and the Oswestry Disability Index improved from 30.1 to 9.6 (p<.001). A total of 86.7% of patients reported either a good or excellent result. CONCLUSION: Coccygectomies via the midline approach have a variable infection rate, likely due to proximity of the incision to the anus and due to the crevice effect of the gluteal cleft in terms of aeration. These contributing factors are overcome in the paramedian approach, making it an effective option for treating refractory coccydynia that is nonresponsive to conservative management.

Ambulatory Robotic Colectomy: Factors Affecting and Affected by Postoperative Opioid Use.

BACKGROUND: The ongoing opioid crisis demands an investigation into the factors driving postoperative opioid use. Ambulatory robotic colectomies are an emerging concept in colorectal surgery, but concerns persist surrounding adequate pain control for these patients who are discharged very early. We sought to identify key factors affecting recovery room opioid use (ROU) and additional outpatient opioid prescriptions (AOP) after ambulatory robotic colectomies. METHODS: This was a single-institution retrospective review of ambulatory robotic colon resections performed between 2019 and 2022. Patients were included if they discharged on the same day (SDD) or postoperative day 1 (POD1). Outcomes of interest included ROU [measured in parenteral morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs)], AOP (written between PODs 2 to 7), postoperative emergency department presentations, and readmissions. RESULTS: Two hundred nineteen cases were examined, 48 of which underwent SDD. The mean ROU was 29.4 MME, and 8.7% of patients required AOP. Between SDD and POD1 patients, there were no differences in postoperative emergency department presentations, readmissions, recovery opioid use, or additional outpatient opioid scripts. Older age was associated with a lower ROU (-0.54 MME for each additional year). Older age, a higher body mass index, and right-sided colectomies were also more likely to use zero ROU. Readmissions were strongly associated with lower ROU. Among SDD patients, lower ROU was also associated with higher rates of AOP. CONCLUSION: Ambulatory robotic colectomies and SDD can be performed with low opioid use and readmission rates. Notably, we found an association between low ROU and more readmission, and, in some cases, higher AOP. This suggests that adequate pain control during the postoperative recovery phase is a crucial component of reducing these negative outcomes.