Authors' objectives:

To summarise the current research evidence on intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) for chronic discogenic back pain.

Authors' recommendations: - Clinical impact: IDET represents a new minimally invasive alternative to other surgical techniques for persistent low back pain. There is an estimated maximum patient population of 3,500 per year eligible for consideration for IDET. - Service impact: Surgeons wishing to provide IDET are required to undertake a one-day training course. Use of a minimally invasive option should reduce in-patient length of stay and associated costs. - Patient issues: IDET may be a preferable option for patients for whom conservative treatment has failed, with reduced hospital stay&operative times compared to other surgical techniques. - Financial and overall NHS impact: Total annual treatment costs for the estimated maximum 3,500 patient group would be approximately 4.7M GBP.

Authors' methods: Overview

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2001

URL for published report: http://www.hsric.nihr.ac.uk/search

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre

Contact Address: The NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, 90 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SP. United Kingdom. Tel: +44 121 414 7831, Fax: +44 121 2269

Contact Name: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: National Horizon Scanning Centre