The latest minimally
invasive approach for
Interbody fixation.
Dr. Umar Farooq combines cutting-edge neurosurgical techniques with compassionate care to deliver exceptional outcomes for complex neurological conditions for last 15 years across multiple major neurosurgical units in UK. Currently leading BrainMatters charitable initiative.
Trans Kambin TLIF
This is one of the world’s most modern and minimally invasive spine surgeries, currently available at less than 10 leading medical centers globally. It is offered to patients suffering from a slipped bone in the spine (lumbar spondylolisthesis) with debilitating back pain, leg pain, or difficulty walking. This groundbreaking new procedure offers a dramatically easier solution. Instead of a large, open operation, surgeons use special instruments over a guide wire, through a single, tiny 1 cm incision, like a small keyhole. This approach completely avoids cutting any healthy muscle or bone. The benefits are life-changing: the procedure typically results in zero blood loss compared to nearly a liter in traditional surgery, 1 cm incision instead of the traditional 6-8 cm, allows patients to go home the same day instead of the usual 4-6 days hospital stay, and the operation itself is much quicker, taking just 1 to 1.5 hours instead of half a day. It’s a gentler, faster, and safer way to get back to a pain-free life.
Dr. Umar Farooq
Neurosurgeon
Professional Summary
Experienced and innovative double board holding neurosurgeon with Canadian Royal college eligibility and a broad experience spanning across pediatric, craniofacial, neuro oncology, functional and neuro endoscopy, with a formal fellowship in minimally invasive complex spine surgery from the busy tertiary care trauma center UHCW, Coventry. Proficient in the latest techniques in MIS and endoscopic spine and brain surgery. Current associate editor for a reputable Q1 journal, Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery. Involved in innovative work on erector spinae block being the first one to develop and administer cervical erector spinea block and currently working on an international RCT on it for its comparative analysis. I am also in the process of writing a chapter on the new frontiers of minimally invasive spine surgery for a SpringerLink book.
Dr. Umar Farooq
Neurosurgeon
Qualification & Experience
FRCS SN (Ed)
Royal college of surgeons, Edinburgh, UK
FEBNS
Fellow of European Board of Neurological Surgery, EANS, Barcelona
M.R.C.S
Royal College of Surgeons Dublin, Ireland
M.B.B.S
King Edward Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan
Experience
18 years of Neurosurgical experience across 16 out of 24 Neurosurgical centres in the UK including leading Major Trauma centres like:
Associate Editor Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery (Q1 International Journal)
2025
Reviewer
1-World Neurosurgery
2-BJNS, British Journal of Neurosurgery
2023
Development of first RCT on comparative analysis of erector spinae block under fluoroscopic guidance in the whole spine (BONES RCT)
(RVH, Belfast, UK)
2025
Administered the first cervical erector spinae block under fluoroscopic
guidance in the world
(RVH, Belfast, UK)
2024
Novel retropleural transthoracic rib sparing XLIF approach to address giant thoracic discs: A case report and review of literature
(WSCS, Intl webinar, best poster presentation (participation from 187 countries)
2020
CT guided aspiration and percutaneous injection of fibrin glue: An emerging therapy for the management of symptomatic Tarlov cyst: A case report and review of literature
(SBNS, Coventry, U.K Prize for best poster presentation)
2014
Regression of chronic hindbrain hernia following posterior calvarial augmentation in children
(SBNS, Brighton, U.K Prize for best oral presentation)
2011
Faculty for Aberdeen Royal Infirmary FRCS Review Course Scotland, UK
2025
WFNS Spine Course
Cadaveric stations: MIS pedicle screw fixation, MIS TLIF station
Karachi, Pakistan (Prof S. Sharif)
2023
3rd Spine Masters Course
Cadaveric stations: ACDF, MIS pedicle screw fixation
UHCW, Coventry, UK
2019
Ogston Progressive Suturing Course for BST, ARI, Aberdeen
Aberdeen, UK
2018
Neurosurgery Boot Camp
Safe positioning for spinal procedures:
UHCW, Coventry2017
Head Injury
Warwickshire and Worcestershire BST workshop
University of Warwick, UK
2015
Ms. Heinke Pulhorn
Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, UK
FRCS (SN) HOD, Neurosurgery Consultant complex spine surgeon
Mr. Nikolay Peev
Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, UK
MD, PhD, FRCS (SN) Consultant Neurosurgeon Consultant complex spine surgeon
Mr. Alan Hewitt
Salford Royal Foundation Trust, Salford, UK
FRCS (SN) Consultant Neurosurgeon Consultant complex spine surgeon
Prof. Amjad Shad
Skull base surgeon, Former Spinal lead, UHCW, Coventry, UK
FRCS (SN) Consultant Neurosurgeon Consultant complex spine surgeon
Mr. Ronan Dardis
Controller of examinations JCIE, HOD, Neurosurgery, UHCW, Coventry, UK
FRCS (SN) Consultant Neurosurgeon Neuro Oncologist.
Mr. Peter Bodkin
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, UK
FRCS (SN) Consultant Neurosurgeon
Special Interests
Specialized care tailored to your unique neurological needs
Thoracic XLif
Thoracic XLIF is a minimally invasive spinal fusion procedure that accesses the thoracic spine from the side to treat spinal deformities or disc degeneration.
MIS TLIF
MIS TLIF (Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion) is a spinal surgery technique that stabilizes the lower spine through small incisions, reducing tissue damage and recovery time.
Interlaminar Endoscopic Approach
The interlaminar endoscopic approach is a minimally invasive spinal technique that accesses the spine between the laminae to treat disc herniations and nerve compression with minimal tissue disruption.
Cervical Disc Replacement
Keeps the natural mobility of the cervical spine intact while reducing the chances of upper and lower level degeneration requiring further future surgeries as proven in multiple RCT s worldwide.
Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy
Reduces the burden of both shunt related morbidity and cost by making a hole through the floor of the third ventricle using an endoscope instead in selective cases.
