Benefits and risks

Information for the public

When NICE looked at the evidence, it decided that there was enough evidence on how well lateral interbody fusion in the lumbar spine works for low back pain and how safe it is. The 10 studies that NICE looked at involved about 9,700 patients.

Generally, they showed the following benefits:

improvement in low back pain and leg pain 12 months after the procedure
less disability and better quality of life
most patients (80% or more) were happy with the outcome of their procedure.

The studies showed that the risks of lateral interbody fusion in the lumbar spine included:

problems with nerve function in up to 31% of patients, most of these were temporary
problems affecting the digestive system in up to 7% of patients
problems with the cage supporting the vertebrae, or the bone graft, in up to 3% of patients
pain caused by damaged nerves in up to 5% of patients
infection or bleeding within the tissues in less than 1% of patients
temporary nerve injury, damage to blood vessels, urinary tract infection, urinary retention and vertebral fracture, each in up to 1% of patients.

Another operation was needed in up to 6% of patients.

NICE was also told about another possible risk: spinal cord injury.

If you want to know more about the studies, see the guidance . Ask your health professional to explain anything you don't understand.