Best Liver Transplant Doctors Abroad for Australian Patients

Professor Abuzer Dirican is a leading specialist in hepatobiliary surgery and a key member of the Liver and Kidney Transplantation Team at Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital.

• Completed a clinical and research fellowship specifically in liver transplantation and hepatobiliary surgery
• Serves as the Head of General Surgery and Surgical Oncology at a major JCI-accredited hospital
• Co-authored the liver transplantation chapter in Schwartz's Principles of Surgery, a gold-standard medical text
• Specialises in complex cases including living donor liver transplants and vascular reconstructions

Dr Mesut Pekmez leads the liver transplant programme at Lokman Hekim University Ankara Hospital, where he has performed over 900 successful procedures.

• Specialises in living donor liver transplants requiring compatible blood types
• Completed his general surgery training at the prestigious Ankara Baskent University
• Dedicated organ transplant surgeon with membership in the Ankara Surgical Association
• Personally evaluates all medical materials to develop tailored treatment plans

Dr. Sertkaya graduated from Konya Meram Science High School in 2001 and entered Gazi University Medical Faculty the same year, graduating in 2008. He completed his urology specialization at Haydarpaşa Numune Training and Research Hospital in 2014, becoming a urology specialist.

Since becoming a specialist, he has focused on the sub-branch of Andrology, attending various training sessions and conferences and performing surgeries with some of the world's leading Andrology professors. In 2017, he passed the written and oral proficiency exams conducted by the European Association of Urology, earning the title of "FEBU."

In 2020, Dr. Sertkaya achieved the rank of Associate Professor of Urology. His journey in Urology and Andrology, which began in 2008, continues at the Andro Expertise Male Health and Aesthetics Center, which he founded in 2022. He sees patients in his own clinic and performs surgeries at affiliated hospitals.

Professor Bulent Unal is the Head of General Surgery at Florence Nightingale Hospital, where he leads complex liver and kidney transplant cases.

• Completed specialist transplantation and oncology training at the University of Giessen-Marburg in Germany
• Conducted advanced research at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center as a National Cancer Institute scientist
• Extensively published on living donor liver transplantation techniques and patient outcomes
• Board member of the Surgical Oncology Association and member of the International Association of Surgeons, Gastroenterologists, and Oncologists

The doctor is the director of the Organ Transplant and Hepatobiliary Surgery Center at Istinye University Liv Hospital, specializing in kidney, pancreas, and liver transplants for both adults and children. With over 5,000 kidney transplants, including 350 pediatric cases, more than 1,000 liver transplants, and 77 pancreas transplants, the doctor has an extensive surgical portfolio.

Additionally, the doctor has performed complex simultaneous organ transplants, including 74 pancreas and kidney, 14 liver and kidney, and 2 heart and kidney operations. The doctor has held significant roles at Akdeniz University and is a lecturer at Istinye University.

Dr. İlhami Soykan Barlas was born in the year 1977 in Istanbul Moda. He is graduated from Kadıköy Anadolu High School and Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine. He was awarded the title of General Surgery Specialist after completing his general surgery specialization in Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital in the year 2008. 

He went to Scotland 2 times in the years 2006-2007 and received advanced laparoscopic education. He awarded with ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Turkey in the year 2009 for his contributions to the establishment of Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Training and Research Hospital Burn Center and for his related works. 

After completing his compulsory service at Kastamonu İnebolu State Hospital between the years 2009-2011, resigned from his duty at the state owned institutions, returned to Istanbul and started to work in private sector. He has been working as kidney transplant and general surgery specialist in Florence Nightingale group of hospitals since the year 2013. Since the year 2017, he has been serving as academic Doctor Lecturer in Faculty of Medicine of Demiroğlu Science University. He has more than 20 articles published in national and international journals in general surgery and kidney transplant and more than 30 proceedings that are submitted in national and international congresses. 

He also has been the book editor and chapter author on kidney transplant and he also has been chapter author in various surgery books. Dr Soykan Barlas has been awarded the title ‘General Surgery Associate Professor’ in the year 2020. Currently, he has been working within the organization of Medical Park Group of Hospitals .

 EXPERIENCES 

 İstanbul Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital 2003-2008 (Specialization Education ) 

 İstanbul Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital 2009 

 İnebolu State Hospital 2009-2011 (Compulsory Service Duty) 

 Private Hospitalium Şişli Hospital 2012-2013 

 Şişli Florence Nightingale Hospital Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Center 2013-2020 

 Demiroğlu Science University Faculty of Medicine Surgery Department Lecturer 2017- Present 

 İstanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Center 2020- Present 

 Private Osmanoğlu Hospital Şişli 2020-2022 Medical Park Göztepe Hospital 2022- present.

SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES 

1.Soykan Barlas,ArzuAkan,YavuzEryavuz,GirayYavuz,SedatKamalı,Gülçin Kamalı: PrimaryHydatidosis of thegluteusmuscle:Report of a caseandreview of theliterature. Ind JSurg.2016; 78(2): 161–162. 

2.Metin Kement, Hakan Ahmet Acar, İlhami Soykan Barlas, Nihat Aksakal, Cem Gezen, Uygar Düzci, Mustafa Öncel: Clinical evaluation of a temporaryfecalcontainmentdevicefornonsurgicalfecaldiversion in perinealburns. Ulus Trauma Emergency Surgery Journal. 2011; 17(2): 123-127 

3.Bilgin Y, Hot S,BarlasIS,AkanA,Eryavuz Y:Short andlongtermresults of harmonicscalpelhemorrhoidectomyversusstaplerhemorrhoidopexy in treatment of hemorrhoidaldisease. Asian J Surg. 2015;38(4):214-9. 

4.Sinangil A, Celik V, Barlas S, Sakaci T, Koc Y, Basturk T, Akin EB, Ecder T. NewOnsetDiabetesAfterKidneyTransplantationandPretransplantHypoma gnesemia.ProgTransplant. 2016 Mar;26(1):55-61. doi: 10.1177/1526924816633949. 

5.Sinangil A, Celik V, Barlas S, Altunrende F, Akin EB, Ecder T. CalcifiedDouble J StentafterSequentialLiverandRenalTransplantationAssociatedtoprim aryOxalosis: Case Report. BANTAO journal, 2015;13(2), 97-99. 

6.Sinangil A, Celik V, Barlas S, KuskuCabuk F, Akin EB, Ecder T. A veryraretumor in a renaltransplantdonorcandidate: primarymesentericneuroendocrinetumor.InternationalJournal Of AdvancesIn Case Reports, 2015;2(4):244-249 

7.Sinangil A, Celik V, Barlas S, Akin EB, Ecder T. Shouldtransplantureter be stentedroutinelyor not?EurRevMedPharmacolSci. 2014;18(23):3551-6. 

8.Sinangil A, Celik V, Barlas S, Koc Y, Basturk T, Sakaci T, Akin EB, Ecder T. Theincidence of newonsetdiabetesaftertransplantationandrelatedfactors: Singlecenterexperience. Nefrologia, 2017;37(2):181-188. 

9.Akin EB, Aydogdu I, Barlas IS. Introducing RobotAssistedLaparoscopicDonorNephrectomyAfterExperienceInHandAssistedRetroperitoneoscopicApproach. TransplantProceedings 2019;51, 2221-222. 

10. Barlas IS, Aydogdu I, Sinangil A, Atan Ucar Z, Koc Y, Sardogan C, Akin EB. IncisionalComplicationsandCosmetic Evaluation AfterHand-AssistedRetroperitoneoscopicDonorNephrectomy. TransplantProceedings 2019; 51, 2215-2220. 

11. Barlas IS, Aydogdu I, Sinangil A, Atan Ucar Z, Koc Y, Ecder T, Akin EB. HandAssistedNephretomyPredisposesIncisionalHerniationInObeseL ivingDonors. TransplantProceedings 2019; 51, 2210-2214. 

12.Sinangil A, Atan Ucar Z, KocY, Barlas IS, Abouzahir S,Ecder ST, Akin EB. TheOutcome of DesensitizationTherapy in Immunologically High-risk KidneyTransplantation: Single-Center Experience. TransplantProceedings 2019; 51, 2268-2273 

13.GodeOguten E, Barlas IS, Akin EB. MentalDistressSymptomsand Life SatisfactionamongLivingKidneyDonors: FrequencyandAssociationwithSubjectiveEvaluations. TransplantProceedings 2019; 51, 2232-2236 

14. Atan Ucar Z,Sinangil A, Koc Y, Barlas IS, AbouzahirS, Ecder T, Akin EB. TheClinicalPrognosis Of TheRenalRetransplantPatients: A Single Center Experience. TransplantProceedings 2019;51, 2274- 2278. 

15. Barlas IS, Demir M, Akın EB. A single-center nineyearexperience in pediatrickidneytransplantation. Cumhuriyet MedicalJournal 2020; 42 (1), 126-135

The doctor is a seasoned oncologist and general surgeon with over 25 years of experience, specializing in cancer treatment and organ transplants. Recognized for significant contributions in the field, the doctor has received numerous awards, including the AACR Scholar-in-Training Award and the Certificate of Outstanding Achievement in Liver Transplantation. The doctor is an active member of several prestigious associations, including the American Society of Breast Cancer and the Surgical Oncology Association, where they serve on the Board of Directors.

The doctor holds a M.Sc degree from the Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University, and completed a Ph.D./Specialty in General Surgery at Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital.

The doctor graduated from Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine, Istanbul University, with medical education in English. She completed her residency in the General Surgery Department at Marmara University. Her clinical focus includes the treatment of breast pain, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, pilonidal sinus, and lipomas. She employs advanced techniques such as laser and Longo hemorrhoid surgeries, as well as local laparoscopic day surgery for pilonidal sinus. The doctor has contributed to local and international medical journals and participated in numerous congresses.

The doctor graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at Istanbul University and completed a specialization in general surgery. With extensive experience in general surgery and kidney transplants, the doctor has served in various hospitals, including Private Gaziosmanpasa Hospital and Medical Park Goztepe Hospital, as a General Surgery Specialist and Kidney Transplant Specialist. The doctor has also held a position as a Liver Transplant Specialist at Memorial Sisli Hospital. The doctor is a member of several professional organizations, including the Turkish Medical Association and the Turkish Surgical Association.

Associate Professor Halil Er has performed over 1,000 successful liver transplant procedures and holds a certificate for outstanding performance in the field.

• Received the International Liver Transplantation Society Young Investigator Award
• Specialises in living donor liver transplantation and complex biliary reconstruction
• Clinical Research Fellow at the prestigious Florence Nightingale Clinic in Istanbul
• Member of the Coordination Association of Organ Transplantation Organisations of Turkey
• Published extensive research on clinical outcomes for hepatitis-positive transplant recipients

The doctor is a seasoned Transplant Surgeon and Minimally Invasive Surgery Specialist with a focus on Oncology and General Surgery. With over two decades of experience, the doctor has treated conditions such as Kidney Angiomyolipoma, Kidney Cancer, Liver Cancer, Polycystic Kidney Disease, and Kidney Cysts. The doctor has practiced at several international clinics, including a role as a National Cancer Institute Short-Term Scientist at the Surgical Oncology Clinic Magee-Womens Hospital of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at Hacettepe University in 1995, the doctor is a member of various associations including the Turkish Surgery Association and the Liver Transplantation Association. The doctor has been recognized with awards such as the International Liver Transplantation Society Young Investigator Award and a Certificate of Excellence for completing 1000 liver transplants.

With over 30 years of experience, the doctor is a distinguished plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in hair transplants, liposuction, and facial surgeries. His dedication to patient care and achieving natural-looking results has earned him recognition as one of the top plastic surgeons in Turkey.

He has been acknowledged by Harper's Bazaar and Elle magazines as one of the 'Top 10 Plastic Surgeons' and holds the title of 'cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery expert' from the Ministry of Health of Turkey. The doctor is a member of several prestigious societies, including the Turkish Society of Plastic Surgery and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

With 1,100 surgical procedures completed, Dr Halil Erdis is an organ transplant specialist at Valued Med Hub Hospitals who focuses on hepatobiliary surgery.

• Completed a Clinical Fellowship at the Şişli Florence Nightingale Hospital organ transplant centre
• Expertise covers complex liver, kidney, and pancreas transplantations
• Former Assistant Professor at Pamukkale University Faculty of Medicine
• Holds a specialised certificate in Clinical Research and Good Clinical Practices
• Focuses on oncological surgery and laparoscopic approaches for liver and gallbladder diseases

The doctor is a renowned expert in liver transplantation, currently leading the Organ Transplant Center at Medipol University Hospital since 2017. Previously, the doctor headed the Surgery Department at Istanbul Bilim University and directed the Liver Transplantation Unit at Kadıköy Florence Nightingale Hospital. With a robust educational background from Ege University and specialized training in organ transplantation, the doctor has been a transplant surgeon since 2005.

The doctor has authored over 70 articles, focusing on inflammation-cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Memberships include prestigious organizations such as the International Liver Transplantation Society and the European Society for Organ Transplantation.

Education and Expertise

1996-2002 – Ankara University Faculty of Medicine – Medical Education

2003-2009 – Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery – Specialization Training

Experience

2009-2011 – Yüksekova State Hospital, Compulsory Service

2011-2012 – Van/Özalp, 6th Border Regiment, Military Service

2012-2018 – Baskent University Istanbul Health Application and Research Center Hospital

2018-2022 – Istanbul Aydın University Istanbul Health Practice and Research Center Hospital

Courses and Certificates

Selim Anorectal Diseases Course, Turkish Colon and Rectal Surgery Association, Istanbul, 17.12.2016 (National)

Training Program on Istanbul Protocol, Practitioner Training, Van, 06.11.2009-07.11.2009 (International)

Burn Course, Ankara Surgery Association, Başkent University, Ankara, 11.04.2009 (National)

Gazi Hernia Days, Hernia Course, Gazi University, Ankara, 18.10.2008-19.10.2008 (National)

Innovations in Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment, Ankara Breast Diseases Association, Ankara, 22.03.