Information for the public
What has NICE said?
What has NICE said?
There is not enough evidence to be sure about how well epiduroscopic lumbar discectomy through the sacral hiatus for sciatica works or how safe it is. For this reason, it should only be done as part of a research study.
The procedure should only be done by surgeons with expertise in spinal surgery using an endoscope (a thin tube with a camera on the end). This should include training in using an endoscope through the sacral hiatus (a gap in the sacrum, the bone at the bottom of the spine) and in the area around the lumbar spine (lower back).
More research on this procedure is needed, and NICE may look at it again if more evidence is published.
What does this mean for me?
Your health professional can only offer you this procedure as part of a research study. Details of your procedure will be collected.
Other comments from NICE
NICE said that epiduroscopic lumbar discectomy through the sacral hiatus may be useful for treating different areas of the spine at the same time.