Doctors at Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital successfully performed the keyhole surgery on the 23-year-old Argentine, who is expected to be discharged on Wednesday.

Real revealed at the beginning of December that the player had sustained a slipped disc that could require an operation.

Spanish media has speculated that the club could bring in another striker in the January transfer window. But Real chairman Florentino Perez has reportedly ruled out any such move.

Higuain, who was signed from River Plate in 2007, has been coach Jose Mourinho's first choice striker ahead of French international Karim Benzema.

He has scored seven times in 12 appearances in the Spanish league this season.

Real is currently second in Spain's top flight, two points behind Barcelona.