Treatment of penetrating trauma to the buttock assisted by spinal endoscopy

OBJECTIVE: Penetrating trauma to the buttock is relatively common. Because of the location of the trauma and complicated peripheral anatomical structures, surgery to the area can be difficult. We report the cases of 2 patients who sustained penetrating trauma to the buttock and underwent operative treatment assisted by spinal endoscopy. METHODS: With the rapid development of minimally invasive spine surgery techniques in recent years, especially the wide application of endoscopy, we treated 2 cases of penetrating trauma with endoscopic probing within the wound channel, followed by hemostasis and postoperative irrigation and drainage. RESULTS: Drainage tubes were removed from the 2 patients within 7 days after the surgery. Their wounds were healing well and they were discharged from the hospital within 12 days. CONCLUSIONS: If there is no injury to the large blood vessels, intestines, or urinary system, satisfactory clinical results can be obtained using spinal endoscopy to probe, irrigate, and identify foreign objects, when combined with hemostasis, postoperative short-term irrigation and debridement, and the use of antibiotics.