Endoscopic laser foraminoplasty for low back pain - horizon scanning review
NHSC
Record ID 32002000846
English
Authors' objectives:
To summarise the current research evidence on endoscopic laser foraminoplasty (ELF) for low back pain.
Authors' recommendations:
- Clinical impact: Until the results of a planned trial study are available the true impact of ELF on the general population with chronic low back pain is not known. However, evidence presented in the form of a longitudinal case series indicates that patients experience benefit post-operatively.
- Service impact: Wider employment of the procedure will require training of surgeons and purchase of specialist equipment. ELF is carried out as a day case procedure so there may be reduced hospital costs compared to current treatment options where open surgery is required.
- Patient issues: The results of case series indicate that 50-80% of patients experience a 50% reduction in pain post-operatively. The psychological implications of an aware-state procedure are important to consider.
- Financial and overall NHS impact: The financial impact of this procedure is unknown as no cost effectiveness studies have been carried out. However, a cost analysis has estimated that prior to referral for ELF the average patient has incurred management and treatment cost of 15,680 GBP. It is possible that some of these costs could be avoided with earlier referral to ELF particularly if this procedure was to replace current surgical options.
Authors' methods:
Overview
Details
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
MeSH Terms
- Endoscopy
- Laser Therapy
- Low Back Pain
Contact
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
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.