"We are committed to offering our patients the most advanced, state-of-the-art neurosurgical procedures for disorders of the spine, brain, and peripheral nerves.”

- Santiago Figuereo, MD Neurological Surgeon Diplomate, American Board of Neurological Surgery Miami Neurological Institute Founder and Medical Director

Board certified and internationally recognized neurological surgeon, Santiago Figuereo, MD, founded Miami Neurological Institute in January 2009.  Dr. Figuereo brings his unique expertise in minimally invasive neurosurgery procedures of the spine, brain, and peripheral nerves to South Florida as one of the few in the region who performs them.

Dr. Figuereo’s collaboration with spine bioengineers has led to the development of new neurosurgical procedures and the design of innovative instruments used internationally for minimally invasive surgery of the spine.

For example, lumbar spinal stenosis is a common debilitating disorder affecting the elderly population and traditional approaches involve major surgical interventions with lengthy recovery periods. However, through the use of specially designed surgical instruments, Dr. Figuereo is one of few neurosurgeons in the nation who are able to correct up to three levels of lumbar stenosis using the same small incision for all three levels in an outpatient procedure. In addition, Dr. Figuereo has expertise in minimally invasive spinal discectomy, which is a technique used for decompressing damaged spinal discs through tiny incisions in an outpatient setting.

The development of these new procedures has had a positive impact our patients’ quality of life in a shorter period of time.  The benefits of our unique neurological expertise are realized by patients immediately after surgery because their recovery is less traumatic.

Dr. Figuereo has modified traditional brain surgeries, as in the case of craniotomy with hair preservation, which minimizes the aesthetic and emotional impact of post-surgery baldness. He also specializes in minimally invasive endoscopic techniques for intracranial, skull base, and pituitary tumors. Endoscopy is a technique involving the insertion of a flexible fiber optic camera through small incisions or through the body’s openings, such as the nasal canal, to directly inspect organs and guide small tools to the surgery site. Many traditional neurosurgical procedures involve large incisions, a lengthy hospital stay and a long recovery period.  Conversely, endoscopy enables Dr. Figuereo to complete brain and spine procedures in less time, with fewer complications, less scarring, and a faster recovery period for his patients.

As one of the few Functional Neurosurgery fellowship-trained neurosurgeons in Florida, Dr. Figuereo is highly skilled in the surgical management of movement disorders, including deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor, as well as in surgical procedures for epilepsy. He has trained hundreds of national and international neurosurgeons in his advanced techniques as a prominent faculty in minimally invasive neurosurgery workshops.

Miami Neurological Institute offices are conveniently located in Aventura, Kendall, and Coral Gables.  For more information, call (786) 623-2000 or e-mail info@miamini.com.