Gibbeum General Hospital
Dr. Yu Yeonghun is a gastrointestinal surgeon with a Ph.D. in Medicine. He specializes in hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) diseases and cancers. His focus includes liver, pancreas, biliary tract, and gallbladder cancers, as well as cholelithiasis and other gallbladder diseases.
He completed his internship and general surgery residency at CHA Bundang Medical Center. He then finished an HPB surgery fellowship at Samsung Medical Center. He has served as Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at Konkuk University Choongju Hospital and at Samsung Medical Center. He later became Professor of Surgery at Eulji University Hospital.
He is a Lifetime Member of The Korean Surgical Society and the Korean Association of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery (KAHBPS). He serves on the KAHBPS Planning Committee and Tumor Registry Committee.
Dr. Park Sundo is a specialist in gastrointestinal and general surgery at Naeun Hospital. His expertise includes colorectal, proctology, breast, thyroid, laparoscopic, biliary, pancreatic, and pediatric surgery.
Key treatments include proctologic surgery, such as hemorrhoidectomy and care for hemorrhoids and anal fistula. He performs laparoscopic surgery for gallstones (cholelithiasis) and appendicitis. His oncology care covers gastric and colorectal cancer. He also performs hernia repair. Breast and thyroid care includes treatment of tumors and Mammotome biopsy. He treats varicose veins and severe burns. Pediatric surgery includes hernia repair and general pediatric procedures.
Dr. Kim Taekhyeon is a gastrointestinal surgeon and the Chief of Gastrointestinal Surgery at Naeun Hospital. He received his M.D. and M.S. from Chung-Ang University College of Medicine. He completed an internship at Sungae Hospital and a general surgery residency at Chung-Ang University Hospital. He then finished a fellowship in gastrointestinal surgery at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital. He previously served as an attending surgeon at Gwangmyeong Sungae Hospital.
His research covers survivin and HSP90 in colorectal cancer, second primary cancers in patients with gastric cancer, and Borrmann type IV gastric carcinoma. He reported outcomes of laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair in 92 cases. His clinical practice includes cancers and diseases of the stomach, esophagus, and small bowel. He also treats hernias, gallstones and cholecystitis, appendicitis, anal disease, varicose veins, and burns.
Immediate treatment for a liver haemangioma in Republic of Korea is rarely necessary. Most are benign blood vessel clusters discovered incidentally during routine scans. Specialists typically monitor small, asymptomatic masses with follow-up imaging every 6 to 12 months. This confirms the lesion remains stable.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While most clinics suggest observation, specialised HPB surgeons like Dr Yu Yeonghun at NAEUN HOSPITAL have performed over 100,000 procedures. Because of this high volume across Korean centres, specialists have deep experience in laparoscopic and biliary surgery. If a haemangioma reaches a critical size, they can manage it safely.
Patient Consensus: Patients in Republic of Korea note that doctors usually blame symptoms on other causes if the haemangioma is small. They recommend following hospital instructions for monitoring. They also suggest using international clinics to help navigate the imaging steps.
Liver haemangiomas in the Republic of Korea require treatment when they become symptomatic. They also need treatment when they grow beyond 5 centimetres. Specialists recommend intervention if patients experience persistent upper right abdominal pain. Treatment also becomes necessary if a large tumour presses on nearby organs. It is also needed if the tumour causes early satiety.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Korean hepatobiliary centres frequently use minimally invasive enucleation rather than full liver resection. This technique peels the tumour away while sparing healthy tissue. Top-tier surgeons there often perform this via laparoscopy. This method typically results in smaller scars and faster hospital discharge.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that regular ultrasound monitoring provided clarity. This helped them know when to move from observation to surgery. Many felt relieved after specialists explained the criteria. Benign masses only need removal when physical comfort changes.
Treatment for giant liver hemangioma in South Korea follows global standards. It emphasises minimally invasive surgery and interventional radiology. Specialists at facilities with Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation are highly skilled. They frequently recommend intervention for masses exceeding 10 cm. They prioritise laparoscopic surgery for faster recovery.
Bookimed Expert Insight: South Korea's massive volume of liver cancer cases has created a surplus of high-tier surgical expertise. Dr Yu Yeonghun at Naeun Hospital has performed over 106,000 operations. This immense experience allows Korean surgeons to perform complex enucleations. Their precision is higher than at lower-volume centres abroad.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that doctors in the Republic of Korea focus on symptom relief. They look beyond just lesion size. They suggest confirming that MRI scans justify intervention before travelling for treatment.
Liver transplants are rarely required for liver haemangioma in South Korea. These benign tumours usually require only monitoring. Korean specialists reserve transplants for rare, life-threatening cases where multiple tumours cause severe clotting disorders. Most patients receive minimally invasive surgery instead.
Bookimed Expert Insight: South Korean centres prioritise liver-sparing techniques over transplants for benign cases. Facilities like Severance Hospital specialise in laparoscopic resection. This approach avoids the lifelong immunosuppression medicine required after a transplant. This focus on preservation leads to better long-term quality of life.
Patient Consensus: Patients find the speed of diagnosis in Seoul clinics impressive. Many found the clear distinction between benign and malignant cases very reassuring during consultations.
Patients undergoing liver haemangioma surgery in South Korea typically stay in hospital for 2 to 7 days. While local recovery varies based on the surgical approach, most patients return to normal daily activities within 4 to 6 weeks. Minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques often result in faster healing.
Bookimed Expert Insight: South Korean surgical centres like Severance Hospital and NAEUN HOSPITAL lead the region in high-volume abdominal procedures. Leading specialists, such as Dr Yu Yeonghun, have participated in over 100,000 procedures throughout their careers. This immense clinical volume often leads to refined protocols. For example, no-stitch skin closures allow patients to shower the next day.
Patient Consensus: Patients find the first week most demanding. However, they report significant mobility by the second week. Walking early and using a pillow to brace the abdomen when coughing are essential tips. They lead to a smoother recovery in Korea.
Monitoring a liver haemangioma in South Korea typically involves follow-up imaging every 6 to 12 months. Most patients receive an initial scan after 6 months to confirm stability. Specialists in Seoul and Incheon often use high-resolution MRI or low-dose CT for precise monitoring.
Bookimed Expert Insight: South Korea is a global leader in high-volume hepatobiliary care. Dr Yu Yeonghun at NAEUN Hospital has performed over 106,000 procedures. This level of experience means Korean specialists can often identify classic haemangiomas on a single high-resolution scan. This expertise helps patients avoid the anxiety of frequent, unnecessary re-testing for stable lesions.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that Korean clinics combine diagnosis with other check-ups. They found that using the same machine and imaging type each time helped. It made comparing stable results much easier. Most felt reassured when doctors explained that many haemangiomas stay unchanged for years.