Dr. Abel Ferrés Pijoan
Neurosurgeon · Spine, neuro-oncology and skull base
View profile →
Minimally invasive technique
Neurosurgical endoscopy
Approaches through natural cavities or small incisions. Reduction of damage to healthy tissue, faster recovery and shorter hospitalisation.
What is it?
Surgery with endoscopic vision
Neurosurgical endoscopy allows access to intracranial and spinal structures through minimal incisions or natural orifices, using a high-definition optic introduced into the surgical field.
Main applications
- Endonasal endoscopy: pituitary and skull base tumours without external scars.
- Ventricular endoscopy: treatment of hydrocephalus by ventriculostomy, intraventricular cysts.
- Spinal endoscopy (Ultra MISS): cervical and lumbar disc herniations, decompressions and endoscopic vertebral fusion with millimetric incisions.
Ultra MISS · Ultra Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Spinal endoscopy is the only technique classified as Ultra MISS: millimetric incisions, minimal muscle disruption and the possibility of performing even vertebral fusion endoscopically. Microsurgery and other minimally invasive techniques fall within the MIS group but do not reach the degree of minimal invasion achieved by endoscopy.
General advantages of endoscopy: less postoperative pain, reduced hospital stay (24-48h in many cases), discreet incisions and faster return to daily life.
How it is done
Step by step of an endoscopic procedure
-
1 · Planning
Preoperative study with high-resolution MRI/CT and, when appropriate, image fusion and neuronavigation to plan the optimal trajectory.
-
2 · Minimal access
Access through a natural cavity (nose for endonasal, brain ventricle for ventricular endoscopy) or through a 7-15 mm incision for spinal endoscopy.
-
3 · HD vision of the field
The endoscope with 0°, 30° or 45° optics provides direct and magnified visualisation of the lesion. It illuminates and magnifies structures that would be poorly accessible via the traditional route.
-
4 · Targeted treatment
Tumour resection, cyst fenestration, ventriculostomy or radicular decompression with instruments specifically designed for the endoscopic working channel.
-
5 · Closure and recovery
Minimalist closure without visible sutures when the approach is endonasal. Admission of 24-48 h in most cases and progressive return to activity within days.
Our specialists
Neurosurgeons who perform endoscopy
Dr. Jorge Torales
Neurosurgeon · Skull base and spinal endoscopy
View profile →
Dr. Pedro Roldán Ramos
Neurosurgeon · Spine, functional and brain
View profile →
Video · 1 minute
Transorbital endoscopic surgery explained
Patient reviews
What our patients say
High-grade glioma
"I arrived with a glioma I had been told was inoperable. Here they reviewed it at the tumour board and offered me a plan. The surgery was a success. Four years on, I am well."
Cervical disc herniation
"For years I had a cervical disc herniation, operated on by another team with no improvement. Minimally invasive surgery gave me back my mobility and took the pain away."
International patient
"I travelled from outside Spain. The team reviewed my case before I came and gave me a clear plan. Caring people and impeccable technique."
Request information
Is your case a candidate for endoscopy?
Send us your tests. We review your case in committee and advise whether endoscopy is the right approach.