The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street London W1G 8BJ
Minimally invasive skull base surgery
ENDOSCOPIC SKULL BASE SURGERY
If you have a tumour which can be treated with minimally invasive skull base surgery, our surgeons can treat you
About skull base surgery
Minimally invasive skull base surgery can treat a range of brain and certain spinal injuries. If you have a growth or abnormality on the underside of the brain (skull base), it can very difficult to reach.
Using an endoscope, our surgeons and other specialists are able to remove these growths.
Minimally invasive skull base surgery is carried out under general anaesthetic. Your consultant's surgical techniques may vary, however, they may do the following.
- Make a small incision on the inside of your nose, through the eyebrow, in the temple or just behind your ear. This will allow them to pass an endoscope (thin tube with a camera on the end) through the area, underneath or alongside the brain. They will then be able to see images of your skull base on a screen.
- Your surgeon will remove any growth with surgical instruments.
- The surgical opening will be closed, sometimes this requires fat and fibrous tissue (fascia) to be taken from your thigh through a separate small incision.
Your consultant will explain the procedure to you in detail and answer any questions you may have.
The nature of the treatment means you will likely MRI and/or CT scans beforehand. This is to help your consultant assess the anatomy of your skull base in more detail before surgery.
Immediately after surgery, you will wake up in a recovery area. Whilst here, you'll have your blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels monitored. You may then be moved to a regular room where our nurses can continue to check on you.
You'll be able to eat and drink as normal. Some patients can go home within two to three days of surgery. Your consultant will arrange a follow-up appointment for you and let you know when you can get back to your usual routine, including work or exercise. If you experience pain or any discomfort after your procedure, they will of course provide you with the appropriate medication.
Our Minimally invasive skull base surgery locations
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place London W1U 5NY
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, London SW1W 8RH
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street London SE1 9BS
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street London SE1 2PR
Chelsea Outpatients - 280 King's Road
280 King's Road London SW3 5AW
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place London NW8 9LE
Chiswick Outpatients
Bond House 347-353 Chiswick High Road London W4 4HS
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.