Memorial Şişli Hospital
Memorial Şişli Hospital
Turkey, Istanbul
Kadriye Ipek Uzunoglu
16 years of experience
Surgeon's portfolio
Clinic is certified :
Skin grafting for burns in Turkey typically costs from AUD $4,914 to AUD $10,108. Total expenses depend on burn size, graft thickness, and required microsurgery. In Australia, this procedure averages AUD $14,039, meaning patients save approximately 46% by travelling. Standard bundles usually include surgical fees, anaesthetic, hospital stays, and airport transfers.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Choosing a specialist with international credentials provides high-value care for complex burn reconstruction. Associate Professor Burak Özkan, for instance, serves on the International Society of Burn Injuries (ISBI) board. Larger facilities like Memorial Şişli Hospital or Anadolu Medical Center offer JCI-accredited environments. This ensures quality systems meet global standards, often at a fraction of Australian private hospital costs.
| Turkey | Thailand | South Korea | |
| Skin grafting for burns | from AUD $4,914 | from AUD $3,931 | from AUD $7,300 |
Dr Kadriye Ipek Uzunoglu has performed more than 900 successful procedures and has a specialised focus on paediatric and adolescent hand reconstruction at Memorial Şişli Hospital.
Op. Dr. Semih Özçınar is a plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgeon. He earned his M.D. from Ankara University and completed his plastic surgery residency at İnönü University. He is a member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS).
His scientific work includes an oral presentation at the 2022 National Congress of the Turkish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery titled "Retrospective Analysis of Regional, Free, and Local Flaps in Head and Neck Reconstruction." He also wrote a thesis on the effect of septocolumellar flap use on nasal tip projection in rhinoplasty.
He has completed training in ISAPS Live Surgery Rhinoplasty, the ISAPS World Congress 2022 in Istanbul, Bosphorus Breast Live Surgery, the 9th Rhinoplasty & Facial Aesthetics fresh cadaver course, BTS International Aesthetic in Sweden, and FABCAST meetings. His focus areas are facial aesthetics, breast surgery, body contouring, and reconstruction.
Professor Cemal Firat is a microsurgery specialist who leads research into innovative wound healing treatments at Inonu University. He specialises in burn emergencies and reconstructive surgery for complex tissue injuries.
Dr. Hasbi Meral has performed 2,000+ successful plastic surgeries at his practice in Antalya. He is a Fellow of the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (EBOPRAS). This certification signifies his adherence to high European surgical standards. Dr. Meral specializes in facial rejuvenation, complex rhinoplasty, and body contouring.
Main risks of skin grafting in Turkey include infection, graft failure, and scarring. JCI-accredited hospitals follow strict international protocols. However, patients may face pigmentation changes or sensory loss. Success depends on specialist expertise, particularly with complex flap reconstructions or microvascular tissue transfers.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish specialists often hold dual international certifications. Associate Professor Burak Özkan at Medipol Acibadem belongs to the International Society of Burn Injuries executive committee. This high level of academic involvement usually translates to lower complication rates for complex cases.
Patient Consensus: Patients in Turkey report feeling supported by 24/7 assistance and quick answers to questions. The presence of professional translators helps medical instructions be understood clearly during recovery.
Australian patients consider Turkey for skin grafting to access specialised reconstructive surgery. The country offers significantly shorter wait times than the Australian public system. Facilities in Istanbul provide flap reconstruction and microvascular tissue transfers. Treatment costs from $3,500 to $7,200. This saves patients up to 78% compared to Australian private healthcare.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Basic skin grafting is common, but Turkey also offers academic-led trauma units. Doctors like Assoc. Prof. Burak Özkan often hold international executive roles in burn societies. This high-level involvement means clinics are well-equipped for complex reconstructive cases. These cases often require multi-stage microvascular surgery rather than just simple grafts.
Patient Consensus: Patients in Turkey appreciate the 24/7 support from dedicated international coordinators and translators. These teams organise everything from consultations to transport. Securing surgical dates quickly for time-sensitive reconstruction is a major benefit over long Australian waiting lists.
Burn skin grafting transplants healthy skin from a donor site to a burned area. Surgeons perform debridement to remove damaged tissue before attaching harvested skin. This procedure is critical for deep burns to protect the body and restore function. It also helps reduce scarring.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish reconstructive centres often combine grafting with microsurgery for better outcomes. Specialists like Professor Cemal Firat at Medical Park Antalya research interventions to prevent tissue death after burns. This level of surgical intensity helps salvage more native skin than standard grafting alone.
Patient Consensus: Expect the donor site to feel more sensitive than the graft during the first week. Healing skin may initially appear patchy or discoloured before settling into a more natural texture.
The skin graft healing process in Turkey typically takes 2 to 3 weeks for initial closure. During the first 48 hours, grafts must remain immobilised to establish blood flow. Full maturation and scar softening continue for 3 to 12 months as the tissue integrates.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish reconstructive surgeons like Dr. Hasbi Meral have performed 2,000+ surgeries. They often prioritise microsurgical flap transfers over simple grafts. This technique provides better blood supply. This is critical for complex burn cases to help tissue survive and restore function.
Patient Consensus: Recovery involves heavy dressings and initial immobilisation while the graft takes in Turkey. Patients often find the donor site more painful than the graft itself. They recommend early communication about pain control.
Surgeons in Turkey secure skin grafts using sutures, surgical staples, or specialised adhesives. These materials maintain firm contact with the wound bed. At JCI-accredited facilities, surgeons often combine these methods with bolster dressings or negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT). These extra steps prevent fluid buildup and help the graft integrate.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish reconstructive specialists like Dr. Burak Özkan often use microvascular tissue transfers for severe burns. This goes beyond standard grafting. These techniques involve reconnecting tiny blood vessels. This approach significantly improves graft survival rates for patients with deep tissue damage.
Patient Consensus: Patients in Turkey noted that grafts stay covered for 5–7 days after surgery. Modern Istanbul clinics provide 24/7 assistance and translators to explain graft care and mobility restrictions clearly.