Minimally invasive spinal surgery (MISS)

An alternative surgical procedure to open spinal surgery that targets conditions within the spine through the use of keyhole surgery.

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About MISS

Thoracoscopy, laparoscopically and endoscopic are all terms used to describe a range of minimally invasive approaches to spinal surgery.

Your consultant may recommend minimally invasive spinal surgery if they think you could benefit from a minimally invasive procedure rather than open surgery.

Depending on the condition being treated, MISS may only require a cut of approximately two to five centimetres on your back. This can help to reduce pain after surgery and speed up your recovery.

Need to know

Before your operation, your surgeon will talk to you about which procedure is most suitable for you. Our experienced spinal consultants use the latest surgical techniques and most advanced technology to help minimise damage to muscles, ligaments and soft tissues.

Your procedure will be done under a general anaesthetic.

Your consultant will explain the procedure to you and answer any questions you may have. They will let you know what you need to do to prepare, including how long you may need to avoid eating and drinking beforehand.

Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.

Depending on your specific procedure, you are likely to remain in hospital for between one day and a week. This will depend on your general fitness level and the type of operation you've had.

Our dedicated rehabilitation team will help you throughout your recovery, and your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine, including work or exercise.

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Paying for medical treatment

You don't need medical insurance to have fast access to our top consultants, extensive range of treatments, diagnostic tests and surgical procedures at our world-class facilities.

Our Minimally invasive spinal surgery (MISS) consultants

Mr Ramsey Chammaa

Mr Ramsey Chammaa

Orthopaedic Surgery

Mr Rohit Shetty

Mr Rohit Shetty

Orthopaedic Surgery

Mr Colin Natali

Mr Colin Natali

Orthopaedic Surgery

Professor Dimitrios Paraskevopoulos

Professor Dimitrios Paraskevopoulos

Neurosurgery

Our Minimally invasive spinal surgery (MISS) locations

The Lister Hospital

The Lister Hospital

Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
The Portland Hospital

The Portland Hospital

205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Wellington Hospital

The Wellington Hospital

8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital

London Bridge Hospital

27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Princess Grace Hospital

The Princess Grace Hospital

42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients

The Shard Outpatients

The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London

Patient stories

This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.