The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, based in the United Kingdom, updated guidance for lateral interbody fusion on March 20, 2017.
Here are five insights:
1. NICE reported evidence proving lateral interbody fusion efficacy is "adequate in quality and quantity."
2. The agency supports the procedure's use, given standard arrangements are made for clinical governance, consent and audit.
3. NICE received peer-reviewed journal articles outlining 14 years of investigation into San Diego-based NuVasive's eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion procedure.
4. NICE updated its guidance based on a systematic literature review of more than 200 previously published studies on the XLIF procedure. The studies touch on XLIF's safety profile, rate of fusion and improvements in pain and disability.
5. NuVasive unveiled XLIF in the United States in 2003. The minimally invasive procedure is performed through the side of the body. Surgeons have performed more than 150,000 successful XLIF procedures to date.