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.
Associate Professor Dr. Soykan Barlas is a general and transplant surgeon at Medical Park Göztepe Hospital. He specializes in kidney transplants and bariatric procedures like gastric sleeve surgery. Dr. Barlas completed laparoscopic training in Scotland. He holds a Certificate of Appreciation from the Turkish Ministry of Health.
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.
Turkish specialists prioritise gland-preserving treatments for salivary stones, so entire gland removal is rarely necessary. Surgeons use minimally invasive sialendoscopy or transoral extraction to remove stones through natural ducts. Leading Istanbul facilities, including Memorial Göztepe Hospital, provide advanced imaging like 512-slice CT for precise stone localisation.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish surgical expertise often spans multiple disciplines, which helps Australian patients with complex oral cases. For instance, Prof. Selin Kapan at İstinye University Liv Hospital Topkapı researches specific submandibular gland conditions while maintaining a broad surgical practice. This depth of academic research means surgeons in major Istanbul centres are better equipped to handle atypical stone locations. Elsewhere, such locations might lead to gland removal.
Patient Consensus: Patients in Turkey find stone removal straightforward when stones are accessible. They often avoid major surgery through simple duct-based procedures. Many suggest using sour candy or warm compresses to help smaller stones pass naturally before committing to any invasive surgical intervention.
Turkish specialists use modern gland-preserving protocols to treat salivary stones. They focus on sialendoscopy and minimally invasive extraction. Primary methods include interventional sialendoscopy for small stones and laser lithotripsy for larger ones. These techniques let surgeons remove blockages while keeping the salivary glands fully intact.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish maxillofacial centres often combine diagnostic imaging with immediate intervention. Leading facilities like Positive Dental Studio use 3D imaging and CBCT scans to map stone locations precisely before surgery. This integrated approach at high-volume Istanbul clinics helps surgeons decide between simple suction extraction and sialendoscopy within a single appointment.
Patient Consensus: Many patients successfully use sour lemon drops or warm compresses to shift small stones at home. For persistent blockages, they find that specialists in Turkey can often perform quick removals under local anaesthesia using small incisions or flushing techniques.
Salivary stone removal in Turkey is not painful. Specialists perform the procedure under local anaesthesia or sedation, so there is zero discomfort. Most patients achieve full recovery within 2 to 7 days. Minimally invasive sialendoscopy allows for immediate discharge and rapid return to normal activities.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish specialists like Prof. Dr Selin Kapan at İstinye University Liv Hospital Topkapı offer multidisciplinary surgical expertise. This matters because complex stones near glands require specific maxillofacial or general surgery skills. Choosing a high-volume facility provides access to imaging like 3D scans. These scans accurately locate stones to avoid unnecessary incisions.
Patient Consensus: Patients report the blockage pain is much worse than the procedure itself. The procedure often takes under a minute. Most experience instant relief and note that mouth soreness vanishes quickly with simple salt-water rinses.
Turkey is a prominent hub for salivary stone treatment. This is due to minimally invasive expertise and gland-preserving technology. Specialist surgeons use ultra-thin endoscopes and laser lithotripsy. They remove stones through natural ducts. This approach avoids external scarring and protects the facial nerves.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data suggests Turkish surgeons often bridge the gap between dentistry and general surgery. While Prof. Dr Selin Kapan at İstinye University Liv Hospital specialises in salivary gland tumours, specialists like Dr Ufuk Gürsesli focus on surgical dental cases. Patients benefit from this overlap. Clinics provide dedicated operating theatres for general anaesthesia, so even complex removals are handled in one session.
Patient Consensus: Patients in Turkey often find instant relief after procedures when conservative measures like hydration and massage fail. They frequently note the importance of choosing clinics with dedicated maxillofacial expertise for recurring or large stones.