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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
Three-dimensional Navigation-guided, Prone, Single-position, Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion Technique
Published on: July 15, 2021
Application of critical pathway of integrative medical service for lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus: A protocol for
Joon-Won Seo1,2, Woochul Shin1,2, Bo-Hyung Kim3
1Department of Clinical Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Background:
Lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus (L-HNP) is a condition in which fibroblasts escape due to degenerative changes or external forces in the intervertebral disc, causing neurological symptoms by compressing the dura mater or nerve root.
Objectives:
The purpose of this study is to analyze and compare the effectiveness, economic feasibility, and safety of using an integrated medical service critical pathway (CP) in L-HNP patients.
Methods:
This single-center prospective observational study will be performed at Kyung Hee University Medicine Hospital and Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital. The inclusion criteria are a diagnosis of L-HNP on magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scans, age under 80 years, a visual analog scale score of 7 or higher for either lower back pain or lower extremity pain. The included 102 participants will be classified into 6 groups (n = 17 in each group): CP application with conservative treatment; CP application with open discectomy; CP application with intrabody fusion; conservative treatment without CP application; open discectomy without CP application; and interbody fusion without CP application. We will collect data on the visual analog scale, ODI, SF-36, and EQ-5D-3L scores; number of admission days; medical staff satisfaction; patients health service satisfaction; waiting time for consultations; use of pain relievers; and CP application and completion rates.
Conclusion:
In future, this study is expected to serve as a basis for follow-up studies on the development and application of CPs in integrated medical services for various diseases, including lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus.
