Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39704782›Full record

ArticlePain and therapy2025

Endoscopic Epidurolysis for the Management of Chronic Spinal Pain: A Delphi-Based Italian Experts Consensus.

Matteo Luigi Giuseppe Leoni, Felice Occhigrossi, Michael Tenti, William Raffaeli, ISAL Research Study Group

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Article in Pain and therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Matteo Luigi Giuseppe LeoniDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Felice OcchigrossiPain Therapy Unit, San Giovanni-Addolorata Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Michael TentiInstitute for Research on Pain, ISAL Foundation, 47921, Rimini, Italy. michael.tenti@fondazioneisal.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4654-018X
William RaffaeliInstitute for Research on Pain, ISAL Foundation, 47921, Rimini, Italy.
ISAL Research Study Group

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionEndoscopic epidurolysis (EE) is a minimally invasive procedure used to manage chronic spinal pain, particularly in cases unresponsive to traditional treatments. Despite its growing recognition, the literature lacks comprehensive guidelines on its optimal use. This study utilized a modified Delphi approach to gather expert consensus on best practices for EE in the Italian pain therapy network.

methodsThe study's scientific board conducted an extensive literature review to define key investigation topics, including clinical indications, preoperative assessments, and technical aspects of EE. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed and administered to a panel of experts. A two-round Delphi process was implemented, with consensus defined as at least 70% agreement on a 7-point Likert scale (agree or strongly agree). Statements that did not reach consensus in the first round were rephrased and resubmitted in the second round.

resultsTwenty-six clinicians participated in the study, with a 100% response rate in both rounds. In the first round, consensus was achieved for 9 out of 19 statements. In the second round, 8 out of 10 rephrased statements reached the consensus threshold. Key areas of agreement included the clinical indications for EE, the importance of preoperative imaging and anesthetic assessments, and the use of specific techniques and tools for EE. However, consensus was not reached on the use of EE for disc herniation with radicular pain and the safety of interlaminar access compared to sacral hiatus access.

conclusionThe study highlights the need for standardized protocols in EE to ensure consistent and effective treatment of chronic spinal pain. The consensus reached by the expert panel provides a framework for best practices, which can guide clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes. Further research is necessary to validate these findings and address areas where consensus was not achieved.

Indexed as

AdhesiolysisChronic spinal painDelphiEndoscopic epidurolysisEpidural myeloscopyEpiduroscopyFailed back surgery syndromeSpinal endoscopySpinal stenosis

Identifiers

PMID39704782
PMCPMC11751267

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.