Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital
Dr. Halil Alis is a gastrointestinal surgeon and Medical Director at VM Medical Park Florya. He is a robotic surgery trainer using the Da Vinci system. Dr. Alis treats obesity, colorectal conditions, and complex digestive diseases. He has authored over 70 scientific papers in international medical journals.
Dr. Selin Kapan is a general surgery professor at İstinye University Liv Hospital Topkapı. She specializes in gastrointestinal surgery and laparoscopic hernia repair. Dr. Kapan has published over 50 peer-reviewed papers in international medical journals. Her research focuses on perianal fistulas and hepatic hydatid disease.
Surgery is the primary treatment for salivary gland tumours in Turkey. Specialists perform surgical excision to remove the tumour and affected gland. Surgeons at JCI-accredited centres in Istanbul often use intraoperative monitoring. This preserves the facial nerve and prevents permanent facial drooping after parotidectomy.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from leading centres like Memorial Göztepe Hospital shows a shift toward multidisciplinary care for head and neck cases. These hospitals use tumour boards where surgeons, oncologists, and radiologists collaborate. This team-based approach in Istanbul means complex reconstructions and nerve preservation are planned simultaneously.
Patient Consensus: Patients in Turkey describe treatment starting with tumour removal. They note it is important to discuss reconstruction and facial nerve planning before travel. Many find that comprehensive care includes dental evaluations and speech therapy. This helps recovery after extensive excision.
Turkish specialists protect the facial nerve using intraoperative neuromonitoring and meticulous anatomical mapping. Surgeons at Joint Commission International-accredited centres identify nerve branches before removing salivary gland tumours. These centres include Memorial Bahçelievler. This careful dissection helps prevent facial paralysis while ensuring complete tumour excision for patients.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish centres use multidisciplinary tumour boards to plan nerve preservation before surgery begins. For example, Memorial Göztepe does this. Data shows that experienced professors specialise in these complex cases. Dr Selin Kapan at İstinye University Liv Hospital is one such professor. Choosing a university-affiliated hospital often grants access to the latest research-led nerve grafting techniques.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that nerve preservation is a balancing act. It depends on how the tumour wraps around the nerve. They suggest asking specialists if the tumour is abutting or invading the nerve. This helps patients understand potential numbness risks.
Recovery after salivary gland tumour surgery in Turkey follows a standardised timeline. Most patients spend 1 to 2 days in hospital for monitoring. Initial healing takes 5 to 7 days before stitches are removed. Full functional recovery typically occurs within 3 to 4 weeks.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Specialist oncology centres in Istanbul, such as Memorial Göztepe Hospital, use multidisciplinary tumour boards to plan post-operative care. With this approach, if pathology results require further treatment like radiotherapy, the transition happens immediately. Patients do not need to seek new specialists.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that the first week is often the most fragile period due to swelling. Many suggest staying in Turkey for at least 7 days. This allows a final surgical review before the long flight back to Australia.
Leading Turkish medical groups for salivary gland tumour treatment include Memorial Healthcare Group, Acıbadem, and Anadolu Medical Center. These centres use multidisciplinary tumour boards and JCI-accredited facilities. Specialists often use intraoperative nerve monitoring. This protects facial nerves during complex parotid and submandibular gland resections.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Patients should look for hospitals with integrated oncology units rather than small clinics. Data shows major Istanbul groups like Memorial Bahçelievler offer JCI-accredited care. They also use Elekta Versa HD radiotherapy. This setup is vital for salivary tumours. It combines surgical precision with immediate access to radiation if pathology confirms malignancy.
Patient Consensus: Patients in Turkey prefer large university-affiliated hospitals in Istanbul. That is because they house ENT surgeons, pathologists, and oncologists in one building. This multidisciplinary approach is seen as essential. It helps manage complex head and neck cases effectively.