Procedures

A fusion procedure performed through a small incision at the neck to access the spine from the front. The natural tissue planes are used to gently push aside structures such as the oesophagus, windpipe, and major blood vessels to reach the spine. The damaged disc is removed, relieving pressure on the nerves or spinal cord behind it. A cage (spacer) and sometimes a front plate are placed to securely hold the vertebrae in position while the bone gradually heals and fuses them together over time.

A fusion procedure performed through the lower abdomen to access the spine from the front. The damaged disc is removed and replaced with a large cage which acts to restore disc height and alignment, while the vertebrae gradually fuse together over time. ALIF is often used for degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, or deformity correction.

A motion-preserving alternative to fusion. The damaged disc is removed and replaced with an artificial implant to maintain natural movement. Most often considered in younger patients with disc degeneration but without significant instability or facet joint pain.

Complex reconstructive surgery to realign the spine in conditions such as scoliosis, kyphosis, or flat-back syndrome. Often involves multi-level instrumentation and fusion.

“Keyhole” procedures performed through one or two very small incisions using a camera and specialised instruments. Endoscopic surgery is most often used to treat lumbar disc herniations or foraminal stenosis, with minimal disruption to surrounding tissues.

A means of stabilising the spine by joining together two or more vertebrae. Screws, rods, or cages are used to hold the vertebrae in place while the bone gradually heals and fuses them into one solid segment. Most often performed for instability, spondylolisthesis, deformity, or following decompression.

Removal of part of the back of the vertebral bone (lamina) to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves — most often performed for spinal stenosis causing leg pain, weakness, or walking difficulty.

An alternative to laminectomy for multi-level spinal cord compression in the neck. Instead of removal, the laminae are carefully hinged open to expand the spinal canal, creating more space for the spinal cord while preserving the natural bony arch and muscle attachments which may reduce the risk of post-operative instability.

A minimally invasive side approach to the lumbar spine, allowing placement of a large graft between vertebrae while sparing the back muscles. Often used in deformity correction, scoliosis, or multi-level disc degeneration.

A minimally invasive procedure to remove the portion of a herniated disc that is pressing on a nerve, relieving leg pain, numbness, or weakness.

A set of techniques using small incisions and muscle-sparing approaches to reduce tissue trauma, blood loss, and recovery time. Applicable in selected decompression and fusion procedures.

A procedure performed through the back of the spine to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, often combined with fusion for stability. It is typically used in cases of multi-level compression, deformity, or instability, and involves screws and rods to realign and support the spine while bony fusion occurs over time.

A surgical approach from the back of the spine to remove a damaged disc and insert a cage or graft between the vertebrae to restore disc height. Screws and rods then stabilise the spine while fusion occurs over time. This procedure is commonly used for instability, spondylolisthesis, or degenerative conditions not improved by decompression alone.

Removal of tumours involving the spinal column, spinal cord, or nerves. Surgery can be performed to remove tumour bulk, relieve pressure on nerves or spinal cord, or create space to facilitate other treatments such as radiation therapy. When the tumour weakens the spine, stabilisation with screws, rods, or grafts may be required to maintain or restore spinal stability.

An operation to create more space at the base of the skull and upper spine in patients with Chiari malformation. This helps restore normal cerebrospinal fluid flow and relieves pressure on the brainstem and spinal cord, often improving headaches and other symptoms.

Opening part of the skull to access and remove a brain tumour. The goal is to remove as much tumour as safely possible while protecting important brain functions, often using microsurgery, monitoring, and navigation technology.

Advanced image-guided systems that act like a “GPS for the brain,” allowing operations to be planned and performed with millimetre accuracy. Neuronavigation increases safety and precision in tumour resections and biopsies.

A minimally invasive procedure to obtain a tissue sample from a brain lesion. Using stereotactic imaging, a narrow probe is guided through a small opening with pinpoint accuracy, often to confirm diagnosis before further treatment.