Endoscopic division of epidural adhesions

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on endoscopic division of epidural adhesions.

NICE has reviewed this guidance and is reassessing the procedure. New guidance will be published as a result.  Until the new guidance is published the NHS should continue to follow the recommendations in the guidance below.

The Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee (IPAC) will consider this procedure and NICE will issue an Interventional Procedures Consultation Document about its safety and efficacy for 4 weeks public consultation. IPAC will then review the consultation document in the light of comments received and produce a Final Interventional Procedures Document, which will be considered by NICE before guidance is issued to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

If you wish to be alerted to developments regarding this procedure, including the release of the consultation document, please express your interest at the top of the page.

Endoscopic epidural procedures are used to treat lower back pain, particularly when radiculopathy is present. The epidural space is examined with an endoscope and further interventions may then be performed, such as mobilising spinal adhesions or administering drugs to inflamed tissue.

Special

Musculoskeletal
Surgical procedures

Trauma and orthopaedic surgery

• British Association of Spinal Surgeons
• Society of British Neurological Surgeons
• British Orthopaedic Association
• British Pain Society
• Society for Back Pain Research

Interventional Procedures Programme
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
MidCity Place
71 High Holborn
London
WC1V 6NA