Memorial Göztepe Hospital
Memorial Göztepe Hospital
Turkey, Istanbul
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Assistant Professor Emre Gunbey is a European Board-certified specialist who completed a prestigious residency observer programme at the Mayo Clinic in the United States.
Prof. Dr. M. Emre Üstündağ is a Professor of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Anadolu Medical Center in Gebze. He has been a professor at Kocaeli University since 2006. He completed his MD and ENT residency at Istanbul University between 1983 and 1995. He has worked at Istanbul and Kocaeli universities and at Acıbadem hospitals. He has also maintained a private practice since 2006.
Clinical focus: head and neck oncology and surgery; rhinology and rhinoplasty; laryngology; septoplasty; sleep apnea surgery.
He completed international training in Ireland (Ardkeen). In Germany, he trained in Tübingen; Freiburg (otology, 4 months); and Regensburg (rhinology, 4 months). In the USA, he trained at Stanford in laryngology and sleep apnea (4 months). He has 47 international articles and 788 citations (Google Scholar, Jan 2026). He is a member of the Turkish ORL-HNS, the Istanbul University ENT Association, and the German ORL-HNS.
Dr Dogukan Aydenizoz is a senior ear, nose, and throat specialist at Medical Park Antalya, one of Turkey's largest healthcare groups. He is recognised for his surgical precision in functional throat and airway procedures.
Dr. Yasar Cokkeser is an ENT specialist. He graduated from Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine (1983–1989). He completed his ENT residency at Ankara Numune Hospital (1989–1994). He held a Clinical Research Fellowship in Otology and Skull Base Surgery at Gruppo Otologico, Italy (1993–1994). He also completed observerships at GWU Neurosurgery, House Ear Institute, USC, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Pennsylvania.
He served at Inönü University as Assistant Professor (1994–1999) and Associate Professor (1999–2005). He was Chief of Clinic at Ümraniye Training and Research Hospital (2005–2007). His recent practice includes Medicana Ataköy (2024–2025).
He has more than 75 publications indexed in Index Medicus. His articles appear in Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, Am J Otol, J Laryngol Otol, and Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. His work covers revision stapes surgery, skull base approaches, vestibular schwannoma, and DCR outcomes in 115 patients (130 eyes).
Vocal fold paresis occurs when nerve signals to the voice box are disrupted. This causes muscle weakness. Common triggers include viral infections, such as the cold or Epstein-Barr. They also include surgical injuries during thyroid or heart procedures, and neurological conditions. Damage usually affects the recurrent laryngeal nerve, impairing vocal cord movement.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish ENT specialists like Dr Mehmet Emre Ustundag or Dr Yasar Cokkeser often bring experience from top global institutions like Stanford or Johns Hopkins. This high-level training is vital for paresis cases. Accurately distinguishing nerve bruising from permanent damage requires diagnostic expertise. In some Turkish clinics, specialists may use 3D simulations or piezo technology. This helps them plan surgeries that avoid nerve pathways entirely.
Patient Consensus: Patients identify viral infections as a major culprit. They often note that symptoms appeared suddenly after a cold or Epstein-Barr. Many emphasise that doctors recommend waiting up to 12 months for nerves to heal naturally. This is common advice in Turkey. Doctors also advise starting speech therapy early to manage muscle tension.
For vocal fold paresis, choose a Turkish specialist with laryngology credentials. They should also have head and neck surgery credentials. Look for ENT surgeons with international training at institutions like Stanford or the Mayo Clinic. Prioritise doctors who specialise in laryngeal cancers, sleep apnoea, and thyroplasty procedures.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish ENT specialists often bridge the gap between functional and aesthetic surgery. Many doctors focus on rhinoplasty. However, some like Dr Dogukan Aydenizoz stand out. They specifically list vocal cord paralysis as a core competency. For complex vocal fold cases, focus on academic hospitals. Prioritise doctors with 'Professor' or 'Associate Professor' titles. These doctors typically lead specialised multidisciplinary boards and handle higher volumes of neurological voice disorders.
Patient Consensus: Patients value doctors who offer English consultations. They also clearly explain the recovery timeline for voice restoration in Turkey. They often note that clinics in Istanbul provide comprehensive support with interpreters during appointments.
Turkish clinical studies report success rates between 90% and 95% for vocal fold paresis treatments. Injection laryngoplasty achieved functional vocal cord positioning for 90% of patients within six months. Specialised laser surgeries for bilateral paralysis show success rates up to 92% for airway and voice quality.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish ENT specialists often combine high-volume experience with niche international training. For example, Dr Furkan Sokmen and Prof. Dr Mehmet Emre Ustundag are two such specialists. They both list thyroplasty and laryngology in their expertise. Patients should look for doctors who have completed observerships at major global institutions. Examples include the Mayo Clinic and Stanford University. They often bring specific nerve-sparing techniques back to Istanbul clinics.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasise distinguishing between nerve weakness and acid reflux before seeking surgery in Turkey. Many found vocal therapy and specific stretches effective. They regained their voice within three months after thyroid surgery injuries.
Vocal fold paresis treatment in Turkey focuses on voice restoration. This is achieved through specialised therapy and surgical intervention. Specialists use vocal fold injections to add volume or thyroplasty for permanent repositioning. Most Turkish clinics recommend observation for six to twelve months before performing major surgery.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish ENT specialists often combine functional restoration with specialised diagnostics. Dr Dogukan Aydenizoz at Medical Park Antalya handles vocal cord paralysis within a multidisciplinary framework. Patients should look for clinicians with international observerships. Those trained at Mayo Clinic, for instance, can secure access to modern voice-shaping techniques.
Patient Consensus: Patients in Turkey frequently start with intensive vocal therapy. They note that daily humming and range exercises can effectively manage muscle-related weakness. For bilateral cases where both cords are affected, airway safety and swallowing risks are key. Patients emphasise discussing these before proceeding with surgery.
Turkish ear, nose and throat specialists specialise in phonosurgery for vocal fold paresis. Experts perform microsurgical procedures like thyroplasty and vocal fold injections to restore voice quality. Many lead surgeons hold European Board certifications. They have also trained at major institutions in the United States and Italy.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish ENT expertise is often concentrated in academic hospitals where professors like Dr Yasar Cokkeser have published over 75 scientific papers. Patients should seek out surgeons with specific laryngology fellowships from the USA or Europe. This training means surgeons use the latest voice-sparing techniques from global centres of excellence.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is essential to request specific case studies before travelling to Turkey. They should also ask for evidence of results for vocal fold paresis. They suggest the surgical plan includes a multidisciplinary team. This team should involve a neurologist and speech therapist for the best outcome.
Patients typically stay in Turkey for 7 to 10 days after vocal fold paresis treatment. This timeframe allows doctors to monitor initial healing and clear the patient for flight. Most procedures, including thyroplasty, allow discharge after a single hospital night.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish ENT specialists like Dr Emre Gunbey, who has performed over 3,000 procedures, often provide online consultations. Patients can start these sessions before travel. This approach reduces the time needed in Istanbul by finalising the treatment plan beforehand.
Patient Consensus: Patients report that voices often feel raw or tired for two weeks following surgery. Recovery typically stays on track with strict reflux management and sleeping on the left side.
Turkish clinics offer all-inclusive packages for vocal fold paresis. These bundles typically include medialisation thyroplasty or filler injections. Most packages cover private VIP airport transfers, 4-star or 5-star hotel stays for 3–5 nights, and all clinical fees. Professional anaesthetists and specialist ENT surgeons handle the procedures in Istanbul.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Many search for clinics in Istanbul. However, Eskişehir-based specialists like Dr Emine Sakalar offer a quieter recovery environment. Her boutique clinic uses piezo technology for precise work. This often results in faster healing and less bruising compared to high-volume metropolitan hospitals.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that vocal recovery requires extensive follow-up. They suggest checking whether packages in Turkey include remote voice therapy or require in-person return visits. Patients should check that the clinic has a dedicated laryngologist. This specialist should have experience in neurological voice disorders.