Sym -- just to touch on one of your questions on peer reviewed articles. Both Synthes (ProDisc L,C, Nova, etc.) and Depuy Spine (Charite', Discover, etc.) have resources and people to help with your appeals. In their documents, on their respective web sites, you will find some (outdated) bibliographies. I assume Medtronic does too; but I've not had the time to retrieve their information.
A little help from the community would be great!!! Recent appeal whizzes?!
