Wedge Resection in Prof. Dr. Erkan Yıldırım, MD,PHD,FETCS (Thoracic & Lung Surgery)

Prof. Dr. Erkan Yıldırım Muayenehanesi is a private thoracic and lung surgery practice in Istanbul's Şişli district. The clinic focuses on complex chest conditions and functional chest wall disorders. It operates as a specialized office providing treatment pathways at Hisar Intercontinental Hospital.

Accreditations and Surgeon Qualifications

The clinic holds the International Health Tourism Authorization Certificate from the Turkish Ministry of Health. Dr. Erkan Yıldırım leads the medical team as a European-board-certified thoracic surgeon. He is a fellow of the European Board of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons (EBTCS) and a member of the European Society for Thoracic Surgery (ESTS).

Dr. Yıldırım completed international training in advanced transplant techniques:

• Clinical Lung Transplantation Fellowship at the University of Toronto.
• Live-donor lobar lung transplantation training at Kyoto University.
• Clinical rotations in cadaveric lung transplantation at Kyoto University Hospital.

The practice includes four doctors. Some specialists have over 25 years of experience.

Thoracic Oncology and Airway Surgery

The clinic treats several types of chest cancers. Surgeons use Uniportal VATS – a single small incision for major lung operations. This approach typically avoids ICU stays and limits hospitalization to 1–2 days.

The oncology department manages various conditions:

• Lung Cancer Surgery: Lobectomy and segmentectomy using minimally invasive video-assisted techniques.
• Esophagectomy: Removal of cancerous portions of the esophagus and nearby lymph nodes.
• Mediastinal Tumors: Resection of cysts and tumors in the central chest cavity.
• Tracheal Stenosis: Treatment includes self-expandable stents or surgical excision with anastomosis.

For early esophageal or gastric cancers, the clinic offers endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). This technique may reduce the need for major surgery. Patients undergoing esophagectomy typically stay in Turkey for 16–20 days for monitoring.

Specialized Chest Wall and Functional Treatments

A core specialty is treating primary hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) and facial blushing. The clinic performs ETS-Ramisectomy using a closed clipping procedure. Success rates reach 95%–98% with low risk of compensatory sweating.

For chest wall deformities, both surgical and non-surgical options are available:

• Nuss Procedure: Corrects Pectus Excavatum (sunken chest) using internal implants.
• Compression Bracing: A non-surgical option for Pectus Carinatum (protruding chest).
• Chest Wall Reconstruction: Custom implants address tumors and congenital issues like Poland syndrome.

The practice also treats lung collapse (pneumothorax) and bullous lung disease. Surgeons use video-assisted bullectomy and pleurectomy to fix air leaks and prevent recurrence. For select COPD patients, endobronchial balloon treatment is available after evaluation.

Diagnostics and Technology

The clinic uses detailed imaging and endoscopic tools to plan complex procedures. Diagnostic capabilities include:

• Bronchoscopy: For endobronchial biopsy, lung cancer staging, and bronchoalveolar lavage.
• Imaging: Chest CT, PET-CT, MR imaging, and chest X-rays.
• Endoscopy: Esophagoscopy and gastroscopy with biopsy for upper digestive tract evaluation.

These tools allow precise cancer staging and lung function assessment before surgery.

Services for International Patients

The clinic provides dedicated coordination for international patients with complex thoracic cases. Support is available in English, German, Russian, Arabic, and Turkish. Online consultations help patients plan travel and treatment before arriving in Istanbul.