Search results

Evidence-based recommendations on brachytherapy as the sole method of adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer after local excision. This involves inserting radioactive sources into the space in the breast where tissue has been removed to minimise the chances of the cancer coming back.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

23 July 2008

Evidence-based recommendations on hybrid procedure for interim management of hypoplastic left heart syndrome in neonates. This involves placing bands around the branches of the pulmonary artery and inserting stents to keep the ductus arteriosus open.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

12 December 2007

Evidence-based recommendations on thoracoscopic aortopexy for severe primary tracheomalacia. This involves attaching the aorta to the sternum with sutures, using special instruments through small cuts in the chest (keyhole surgery).

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

12 December 2007

Evidence-based recommendations on irreversible electroporation for the treatment of liver metastases. This involves using very short electrical field pulses delivered over several minutes to destroy the tumour and a small surrounding tissue margin.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

23 February 2013

Evidence-based recommendations on percutaneous laser coronary angioplasty. This involves using a laser to burn away the deposits blocking the blood vessels of the heart.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

26 January 2011

Evidence-based recommendations on thoracoscopic repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in neonates. This involves inserting surgical instruments through small cuts in the chest, and then moving the abdominal organs out of the chest and repairing the diaphragm.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

25 January 2011

Evidence-based recommendations on cryotherapy for the treatment of liver metastases. This involves using cold temperatures applied through a special needle to destroy the cancer cells.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

15 December 2010

Evidence-based recommendations on endoscopic axillary lymph node retrieval for breast cancer. This involves using narrow instruments to remove the lymph nodes through small, rather than large, openings to reduce the risk of infection and other problems.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

14 December 2005

Evidence-based recommendations on endometrial cryotherapy for menorrhagia (heavy periods). This involves using cold temperatures to freeze and destroy the lining of the womb.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

22 March 2006

Evidence-based recommendations on low dose rate brachytherapy for localised prostate cancer. This involves placing small radioactive seeds into the prostate that give off low doses of radiation to destroy cancer cells.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

27 July 2005

Evidence-based recommendations on autologous pancreatic islet cell transplantation for improved glycaemic control after pancreatectomy. This involves removing parts of the pancreas (islet cells) after the pancreas has been removed and inserting them into the liver to restart insulin production.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

24 September 2008

Evidence-based recommendations on deep brain stimulation for intractable trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias. This involves delivering electrical impulses to a precise area of the brain using an electrode to mask the pain.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

23 March 2011

Evidence-based recommendations on deep brain stimulation for refractory chronic pain syndromes (excluding headache). This involves stimulating a precise area of the brain using an electrode to treat the chronic pain.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

23 March 2011

Evidence-based recommendations on prosthetic intervertebral disc replacement in the cervical spine. This involves removing the damaged disc and inserting an artificial disc in its place.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

19 May 2010

Evidence-based recommendations on fetal cystoscopy for the diagnosis and treatment of lower urinary outflow tract obstruction. This involves inserting a tube with a flexible camera through small cuts in the mother's abdomen to identify and open any blockage.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

24 January 2007

Evidence-based recommendations on laser-assisted cerebral vascular anastomosis without temporary arterial occlusion. This involves using a special laser device to create a bypass without the need to temporarily interrupt the blood flow to the brain.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

27 February 2008

Evidence-based recommendations on endoscopic mastectomy and endoscopic wide local excision for breast cancer. This involves removing part or all of the breast using special instruments inserted through small cuts in the skin (keyhole surgery).

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

22 April 2009

Evidence-based recommendations on photorefractive (laser) surgery for the correction of refractive errors. This involves using a special laser to permanently change the shape of the cornea.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

22 March 2006

Evidence-based recommendations on laparoscopic uterine nerve ablation (LUNA) for chronic pelvic pain. This involves the destruction of a small segment of ligament that carries nerve fibres within the pelvis.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

30 October 2007

Evidence-based recommendations on insertion of customised exposed titanium implants, without soft tissue cover, for complex orofacial reconstruction. This involves making the titanium implants specially to fit the person using a model of their face.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

23 July 2013

Evidence-based recommendations on breast reconstruction using lipomodelling after breast cancer treatment. This involves taking fat from the abdomen or thighs and injecting it into the breast in the area of the deformity caused by surgery.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

23 January 2012

Evidence-based recommendations on percutaneous atherectomy of femoropopliteal arterial lesions with plaque excision devices. This involves using a special cutting device to remove excess debris inside diseased blood vessels.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

23 February 2011

Evidence-based recommendations on laser correction of refractive error following non-refractive ophthalmic surgery. This involves changing the shape of the cornea, so that light rays are more precisely directed onto the retina.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

23 March 2011

Evidence-based recommendations on placement of pectus bar for pectus excavatum (Nuss procedure). This involves placing one or two steel (pectus) bars under the breastbone with the aim of raising it and correcting the abnormal shape.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

26 August 2009

Evidence-based recommendations on extracorporeal albumin dialysis for acute liver failure. This involves using a dialysis machine to remove both water-soluble toxins and toxins that are attached to albumin and accumulate in liver failure.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

23 September 2009

Evidence-based recommendations on percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale for the secondary prevention of recurrent paradoxical embolism in divers. This involves passing a device through a large vessel in the groin up into the heart and closing/blocking the hole in the wall.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

15 December 2010

Evidence-based recommendations on percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for primary or secondary lung cancers. This involves inserting one or more electrodes (needle-like probes) through the chest into the lung and using an electrical current to produce heat to destroy the cancer cells.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

15 December 2010

Evidence-based recommendations on transcatheter endovascular closure of perimembranous ventricular septal defect. This involves inserting a small blocking device (called an occluder) into the heart.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

24 March 2010

Evidence-based recommendations on limited macular translocation for wet age related macular degeneration. This involves cutting and moving the macula on an a nearby healthier area of the retina.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

19 May 2010

Evidence-based recommendations on percutaneous intradiscal laser ablation in the lumbar spine. This involves using a laser to destroy part of the disc, with the aim of shrinking it.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

22 September 2010

Evidence-based recommendations on endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of non-ampullary duodenal lesions. This involves using a long camera inserted through the mouth to view the area and removing the abnormal parts of the lining with special instruments.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

27 October 2010

Evidence-based recommendations on therapeutic hypothermia with intracorporeal temperature monitoring for hypoxic perinatal brain injury. This involves cooling either the baby's head or whole body to prevent brain damage.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

26 May 2010

Evidence-based recommendations on percutaneous occlusion of the left atrial appendage in non-valvular atrial fibrillation for the prevention of thromboembolism. This involves using a special device to block the mouth of the left atrial appendage and stop the blood clot from getting into the bloodstream.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

23 June 2010

Evidence-based recommendations on arteriovenous crossing sheathotomy for branch retinal vein occlusion. This involves cutting the sheath around the vessels and physically separating them where they cross to improve blood flow through the vein.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

24 March 2010

Good practice guidance – Interim process statement

Evidence-based recommendations on minimally invasive total hip replacement. This involves replacing the damaged hip joint (the top part of the upper leg bone and the socket in the hip bone that it fits into) with an artificial one.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

27 October 2010

Evidence-based recommendations on intrauterine laser ablation of placental vessels for treating twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. This involves using a laser to seal off some of the blood vessels in the placenta so both babies receive a more equal amount of blood.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

13 December 2006

Evidence-based recommendations on septostomy with or without amnioreduction for treating twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. This involves creating a small hole in the membrane between the babies to allow the amniotic fluid to move from one baby to the other, so both babies have a more equal amount of amniotic fluid.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

13 December 2006

Evidence-based recommendations on intraoperative red blood cell salvage during radical prostatectomy or radical cystectomy. This involves collecting the solid components of the blood lost during an operation and transfusing it back to the same patient.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

26 April 2008

Evidence-based recommendations on endovascular stent insertion for intracranial atherosclerotic disease. This involves inflating a balloon catheter inserted into an artery in the arm or leg, and positioning a stent in the narrowing to maintain improved blood flow.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

23 July 2012

Evidence-based recommendations on focal therapy using cryoablation for localised stage prostate cancer. This involves using freezing (cryotherapy) needles to find and destroy only the cancerous part of the prostate.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

26 April 2012

Evidence-based recommendations on percutaneous balloon cryoablation for pulmonary vein isolation in atrial fibrillation. This involves using a probe attached to a balloon catheter to freeze tissue in one of the chambers on the left side of the heart.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

27 May 2012

Evidence-based recommendations on insertion of customised titanium implants, with soft tissue cover, for orofacial reconstruction. This involves inserting titanium implants to replace broken bones in the face as part of orofacial reconstruction.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Last updated

1 July 2013

Evidence-based recommendations on insertion of a magnetic-bead band for faecal incontinence. This involves placing a ring of magnetic beads into a tunnel made around the anus to prevent incontinence.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

27 March 2014

Evidence-based recommendations on negative pressure wound therapy for the open abdomen. This involves using a small pump to remove infected material, stop fluid escaping and help the wound heal.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

27 November 2013

Evidence-based recommendations on electrochemotherapy for primary basal cell carcinoma and primary squamous cell carcinoma. This involves injecting a chemotherapy drug into the tumour and using electrical pulses to increase its effect.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

26 February 2014

Evidence-based recommendations on laparoscopic gastric plication for the treatment of morbid obesity. This involves folding the stomach in on itself and stitching it together to reduce its volume.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

27 November 2012

Evidence-based recommendations on ultrasound enhanced catheter-directed thrombolysis for deep vein thrombosis. This involves using ultrasound waves and a drug to break up the clot.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

26 June 2015

Evidence-based recommendations on ultrasound enhanced catheter-directed thrombolysis for pulmonary embolism. This involves using ultrasound waves and a drug to break up the clot.

Result type

Interventional procedures guidance

Published

26 June 2015

Evidence summaries: unlicensed and off-label medicines – Interim process statement