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Foreword: Proceedings From the First Annual Lumbar Total Disc Replacement Summit
Scott Blumenthal1, Glenn Buttermann2, Rolando Garcia3
1Texas Back Institute, Plano, TX.
Spine
|November 28, 2017
Summary
Expert surgeons convened to establish consensus on lumbar total disc replacement (LTDR) as a standard of care for specific degenerative disc disease patients. This summit identified key areas of agreement for LTDR utilization.
Area of Science:
- Spine surgery
- Orthopedics
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Degenerative disc disease (DDD) affects a significant patient population.
- Current treatment options for DDD have limitations.
- Lumbar total disc replacement (LTDR) is an evolving surgical intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To achieve consensus on the role of LTDR in current spine care.
- To identify patient subpopulations who may benefit from LTDR.
- To explore the potential of LTDR as a standard of care.
Main Methods:
- Proceedings from the First Annual Lumbar Total Disc Replacement Summit.
- Modified-Delphi method employed.
- 17 thought-leading spine surgeons participated.
Main Results:
- Consensus was reached on specific aspects of LTDR utilization.
- Areas of agreement were identified regarding patient selection for LTDR.
- The summit provided insights into the current standing of LTDR as a standard of care.
Conclusions:
- Lumbar total disc replacement (LTDR) shows promise as a standard of care for select DDD patients.
- Further research and clinical experience are likely to refine LTDR indications.
- Surgeon consensus is crucial for advancing the adoption of novel spinal procedures.
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