Memorial Şişli Hospital
Dr. Ahmet Hilmi Kaya is a professor of neurosurgery at Anadolu Medical Center in Istanbul. He specializes in functional neurosurgery and deep brain stimulation (DBS) for movement disorders. Dr. Kaya previously led a Parkinson’s disease research project at Ondokuz Mayıs University. He earned the Aysima Altınok Thesis Award from the Turkish Neurosurgical Society.
Professor Erhan Arslan is a leading neurosurgeon at VM Medical Park Pendik Hospital who specialses in correcting congenital skull conditions in children.
Professor Hasan Ozgur Ozdemir is a high-achieving neurosurgeon who ranked first in the Turkish Neurosurgical Society proficiency exam. He leads the neurosurgery department at Medical Park Antalya Hospital Complex.
Professor Guclu specialised in neurosurgery at the prestigious Mazhar Osman Hospital, Turkey's largest centre for neurology and psychiatry. He leads the neurosurgery department at VM Medical Park Florya.
The ideal age for craniosynostosis surgery in Turkey is typically between 3 and 12 months. Minimally invasive endoscopic surgery is best performed at 2 to 4 months. Traditional open cranial vault reconstruction is generally recommended for infants aged 6 to 12 months.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish neurosurgery centres often require infants to reach a weight of 7 kilograms before proceeding with open reconstruction. While surgeons like Dr Bekir Tugcu at Valued Med Hub Hospitals manage complex cases, this weight threshold helps manage blood volume during surgery. For Australian families, this often means a diagnosis at 2 months allows for a planned trip to Istanbul by 6 months.
Patient Consensus: Parents emphasise that while earlier surgery is often easier for recovery, waiting until a child is slightly larger can help manage surgical risks. Many note that Turkish specialists provide clear timelines based on whether a child needs endoscopic repair or full bone remodelling.
Turkey hosts several JCI-accredited hospitals specialising in neurosurgery for craniostenosis treatment. Leading facilities include NP Istanbul Brain Hospital, Memorial Şişli, and Istanbul Florence Nightingale. These centres employ experienced neurosurgeons. They perform complex cranial remodelling and endoscopic procedures within specialised paediatric units.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many JCI-accredited groups like Memorial and Medicana offer neurosurgery, NP Istanbul Brain Hospital stands out for its specific neuropsychiatric focus. This concentration is rare. Their specialists, such as Dr Akin Akakin, hold specific neuroanatomy doctorates from Florida University. This suggests a deeper academic focus on brain and nerve structure. It goes beyond that of general surgical units.
Patient Consensus: Families note that Turkish private hospitals provide high-quality care, but they emphasise choosing surgeons with proven experience in paediatric craniofacial cases. Patients also appreciate the modern facilities and helpful coordinators available throughout Istanbul.
Turkish neurosurgery centres typically require a 1 to 5-day hospital stay for craniostenosis treatment. Recovery times vary by technique, but most children resume normal feeding within 1 week. Surgeons in Istanbul often advise a 10-day stay in Turkey. This allows safe air travel back to Australia.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Leading Turkish specialists, such as Dr Akin Akakin and Dr Serkan Kitis, operate in JCI-accredited facilities. These facilities prioritise intensive monitoring. Data shows that major Istanbul centres, such as Memorial Sisli, provide PICU units. Children spend their first night post-surgery there for immediate neurological safety. They then move to a regular ward.
Patient Consensus: Parents note that facial swelling looks dramatic in the first 48 hours. However, children often return to their usual selves within 7 days. Families suggest planning for a quiet month at home in Australia. This helps manage temporary sleep disruptions and fussiness after the journey.