Ewha Womans University Medical Center
Open heart surgery in the Republic of Korea typically costs from AUD $40,824 to AUD $63,742. The final price depends on the specific technique, the length of hospital stay, and any advanced imaging requirements. In Australia, this procedure costs around AUD $84,512 on average, meaning patients can save approximately 38% by travelling. Standard quotes usually cover the surgical procedure, anaesthetic, and a recovery period of five to ten days.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Choosing a large multidisciplinary centre in Seoul offers access to massive surgical volumes. Asan Medical Center performs 45% of South Korea's heart transplants, which suggests exceptional expertise in complex cases. For those seeking minimally invasive options, specialists like Dr Sungho Kim have performed 1,200+ interventions using catheter-based techniques. This approach can significantly reduce the recovery time compared to traditional open surgery.
| Republic of Korea | Thailand | Turkey | |
| Open heart surgery | from AUD $40,824 | from AUD $50,134 | from AUD $11,459 |
| Atrial septal defect surgery | from AUD $26,500 | from AUD $25,783 | from AUD $17,189 |
| Ventricular Septal Defect Surgery | - | from AUD $26,500 | from AUD $17,189 |
| Tetralogy of Fallot Surgery | - | from AUD $35,810 | from AUD $20,627 |
| Interventricular septal defect surgery | - | from AUD $25,783 | from AUD $25,783 |
No hidden fees – just official clinic prices. Pay at the clinic for Open heart surgery upon arrival and use a flexible instalment plan if needed.
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Dr. Sungho Kim is a pediatric cardiologist at Sejong Hospital in Incheon. He has performed more than 1,200 pediatric and congenital cardiac interventions. Dr. Kim specializes in treating heart defects without open-heart surgery. He uses catheter-based methods for ASD, VSD, and tetralogy of Fallot.
When considering Open heart surgery, it’s important to understand the different techniques and which is best suited for you. Here’s a concise comparison of popular options:
This procedure involves repairing a hole in the atrial septum to improve heart function and prevent complications.
This procedure corrects heart defects present from birth, improving oxygen flow and overall cardiac function.
This cardiac operation involves repairing a hole in the septum between the heart's ventricles to improve blood flow and heart function.
Reputable Seoul hospitals for open heart surgery include Asan Medical Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, and Severance Hospital. These JCI-accredited centres have dedicated heart institutes. They perform thousands of annual procedures and offer 24/7 interpreter services. Their success rates reach 90% for complex cardiac transplants.
Bookimed Expert Insight: High-volume centres like Seoul National University Bundang Hospital offer superior safety through experience. They perform over 2,400 open heart surgeries annually. Patients should prioritise hospitals with dedicated Heart Institutes. These units provide integrated specialist teams that general surgical departments may lack.
Patient Consensus: Expect to pay the full surgical cost in cash or card before hospital discharge. Korean hospitals require a personal caregiver or family member. They must stay with the patient throughout recovery. Excellent English support is available through dedicated international departments in Seoul.
South Korea is a safe and high-quality location for open heart surgery. Leading Seoul hospitals like Severance Hospital and Asan Medical Center hold Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation. These centres maintain exceptional surgical success rates and often perform thousands of cardiac operations annually for international patients.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Open heart surgery typically costs from $28,500 to $44,500. However, the real advantage is the local technology. Hospitals like SNUBH are fully digital, reducing medical errors through the BESTcare safety system. This infrastructure helps surgeons manage the high volume of complex cases safely.
Patient Consensus: South Korean cardiac staff respond within minutes during emergencies. Australian patients should choose major Seoul hospitals. These provide 24/7 English support and translation services.
Typical recovery after open heart surgery in South Korea requires a 14-day stay. This includes 5 to 10 days of hospitalisation. Everyday activities resume within 4 to 6 weeks. However, full sternum healing and physical rehabilitation usually take 3 to 6 months.
Bookimed Expert Insight: South Korean cardiovascular centres handle high volumes. For instance, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital's centre performs over 2,400 open heart surgeries annually. This high volume allows specialised inpatient rehabilitation protocols. These start just 5 days after surgery. This is much earlier than standard domestic recovery timelines.
Patient Consensus: Recovery in South Korea involves intense early monitoring and physical therapy. Patients suggest bringing a companion for the first 48 hours. They also recommend avoiding flights for at least 6 weeks.
South Korean hospitals provide robotic cardiac surgery. It treats conditions like valvular disease and atrial septal defects. These procedures typically use the da Vinci system. This approach provides minimally invasive access, avoiding the large chest incision needed in traditional open heart surgery.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While 19 Korean hospitals offer robotic techniques, 94% of cases occur in major Seoul centres. Choosing high-volume clinics like Seoul National University Hospital ensures access to experienced surgeons. These surgeons treat 30,000+ international patients annually, maintaining excellent survival rates.
Patient Consensus: Patients can expect faster recovery and smaller scars. They often have five small incisions instead of one large chest cut. South Korean facilities provide 24/7 interpreters and personal coordinators. They help manage the complex logistics of cardiac care.
South Korea’s top clinics for open heart surgery are mainly in Seoul. They concentrate in the Songpa, Seongnam, and Seodaemun districts. These tertiary-care hospitals, including Asan Medical Center and Severance Hospital, hold JCI and KOIHA accreditations. They perform thousands of cardiac surgeries annually with high success rates.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While heart surgery in Seoul costs from $28,500 to $44,500, the real value lies in volume. Asan Medical Center alone performs 65,000+ surgeries annually. This high frequency helps surgeons maintain lower complication rates compared to smaller regional centres.
Patient Consensus: Focus on tertiary hospitals with dedicated cardiovascular centres and international patient offices. Verified interpreters and clear follow-up plans are essential for successful recoveries in South Korea.