Modern operating room with advanced medical equipment at Prof. Dr. Yavuz Beşoğul Clinic

CT scanner at Prof. Dr. Yavuz Beşoğul Clinic, advanced diagnostic imaging equipment

Turkey, Istanbul

Mitral Valve Repair in Prof. Dr. Yavuz Beşoğul

About the clinic

Mitral valve repair is a specialized procedure to treat heart valve leaks or narrowing at the clinic of Prof. Dr. Yavuz Beşoğul in Istanbul, Turkey. The surgery is performed by a leading expert who pioneered the subaxillary heart valve method in the country. Patients benefit from a technique that preserves their own heart tissue and avoids large chest incisions.

Expertise of Prof. Dr. Yavuz Beşoğul

Prof. Dr. Yavuz Beşoğul is a cardiovascular surgeon with over 35 years of experience. He has performed 8,000+ cardiac procedures throughout his career. As a pioneer in minimally invasive heart surgery, he focuses on methods that reduce physical trauma. He has authored over 100 international publications and holds memberships in the National Vascular Surgery Society and the Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery.

Minimally Invasive Subaxillary Approach

The clinic specializes in mitral valve repair through a subaxillary mini-thoracotomy. This method involves a small incision of about 4–6 cm under the armpit. Unlike traditional open-heart surgery, this approach does not require cutting the breastbone. The surgical team uses 3D and 4K endoscopic camera systems to view the heart clearly. This high-definition imaging allows for precise repairs through the small opening. Benefits include less pain, a lower risk of infection, and a faster return to daily activities.

Treatment Process and Recovery

Doctors prefer valve repair over replacement whenever possible. Repairing the valve keeps the patient’s native tissue and helps avoid lifelong blood-thinning medication. If the damage is too severe, the surgeon uses a mechanical or biological replacement valve. Before surgery, patients undergo a complete check-up. This includes EKG, echocardiography, blood tests, and lung assessments.

Pre-operative tests: Full heart and lung evaluation, including coronary angiography if needed.
Hospital stay: Patients typically stay in the hospital for a few days after the minimally invasive procedure.
Physical restrictions: You must avoid lifting more than 5 kg for several weeks.
Activity: Driving is usually restricted for 6–8 weeks during the initial healing phase.

The recovery for the armpit approach is much faster than traditional surgery. If a standard open-heart method is used, the breastbone needs about 3 months to fuse completely. A multidisciplinary Heart Team involving cardiologists and anesthesiologists monitors every patient in the ICU. You can request a consultation to learn if you are a candidate for this minimally invasive repair on Bookimed.

Highlights

1997 Year of foundation

1 doctors

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Treatments prices in the clinic

Last price update — 29.03.2025. Prices can be changed depending on the medical case and doctor's recommendations.

Heart Surgery

treatment	Price
Open heart surgery	Price on request
Coronary artery bypass grafting	Price on request
Surgery for acquired valvular heart disease	Price on request
Heart Valve Replacement	Price on request
Replacement of the aortic valve	Price on request
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)	Price on request
Mitral Valve Repair	Price on request
Mitral Valve Replacement	Price on request
Carotid endarterectomy	Price on request
Coronary Revascularization	Price on request

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Prof. Dr. Yavuz Beşoğul: more details about the clinic

Turkey, Istanbul

Prof. Dr. Yavuz Beşoğul runs a cardiovascular surgery clinic in Istanbul's Pendik district. Founded in 1997, the practice focuses on heart and vascular surgery. Dr. Beşoğul specializes in minimally invasive techniques that speed up recovery while maintaining surgical safety.

Surgical Statistics and Expertise

Dr. Beşoğul has over 35 years of experience in cardiovascular surgery. The clinic's surgical volume includes:

5,000+ open-heart surgeries
1,000+ minimally invasive heart surgeries
2,000+ vascular surgeries

Dr. Beşoğul was an early adopter of minimally invasive heart surgery in Turkey. Since 1999, he has published research on subaxillary (armpit) surgical access in national and international journals. He belongs to the Turkish Society of Cardiovascular Surgery and the National Vascular Surgery Society.

Heart Surgery and Valve Procedures

The clinic treats cardiac conditions using both conventional and small-incision methods. For heart valve diseases, Dr. Beşoğul performs repair or replacement of the mitral and aortic valves. When clinically possible, mitral valve repair preserves the patient's own tissue.

Surgical methods include:

Minimally invasive bypass surgery – small incisions instead of cutting the breastbone
Off-pump coronary artery bypass – performed on a beating heart without a heart-lung machine
Subaxillary heart valve surgery – reached through the armpit to avoid large chest scars
Conventional open-heart surgery for complex cases
TAVI – heart valve replacement through a catheter

A multidisciplinary "Heart Team" decides between surgical and catheter-based options. This team includes specialists in cardiology, anesthesiology, and intensive care.

Vascular Surgery and Diagnostics

Vascular care covers arterial and venous conditions. Dr. Beşoğul performs carotid endarterectomy to clear neck artery blockages and prevent strokes. The practice also treats Buerger's disease, Raynaud's disease, and varicose veins.

Diagnostic imaging tools include:

Doppler sonography and duplex angioscanning
Echocardiography for detailed heart imaging
Coronary angiography to map arterial blockages
CT scans of the chest and whole body
Holter monitoring and exercise stress tests

These tools help assess valve structure and disease severity before surgery.

Technology and Surgical Equipment

The clinic uses specialized instruments for closed-heart operations. Surgeons work with endoscopic camera systems offering 3D and 4K image quality. These high-resolution systems allow precise valve repair and vessel reconstruction through small incisions.

International Patient Services and Recovery

The clinic provides medical information in English for international patients. Staff assist with coordination in several languages:

English
Russian
Arabic
German
Turkish

Post-operative care includes guidance on breastbone healing. Full bone fusion takes about three months, so the clinic sets strict rules for the first 6–8 weeks. During this phase, patients must avoid driving, lifting over 5 kilos, and lying on their side.

Additional services

Language assistance

Available

free

Accommodation

Hotel (apartments) near the clinic, billed daily

Patient reviews

Google 4.9

10 Google reviews

Kurtuluş

Sep 9, 2026

Hello, teacher. I read my patient’s comment. May Allah not let you be missing, and may Allah grant you a long life, God willing.

Zehra Uygur

Jul 31, 2026

Doctors like you show that medicine is not only a profession, but also a conscience and selfless dedication. Thank you endlessly for your efforts and care.

MELİH PAŞA AKAR

Jul 13, 2026

My dear Hocam Yavuz is an amazing person who touches the human heart and gives knowledge with patience and compassion. I’m so glad I got to know you, dear teacher. Kind regards.

Murat KARAKOÇ

Jul 13, 2026

My dear Hocam Yavuz, I’m so glad you’re here. While many doctors were afraid to do it, you performed my grandmother’s surgery on her 95% blocked carotid artery very easily and without any problems. Thank you, hocam.👏👏👏

Dilek Ozer

Jun 5, 2026

Words are not enough to describe Yavuz hocamız’s success, modesty, kindness, and his care for his patients. My husband’s heart was diagnosed with myxoma (tumor), and we went to many doctors—whenever we went, we were told it would require emergency surgery, an open-heart operation. It was purely by chance that I came across our hocamız online, and by reading the comments here, our journey began from Elazığ to Istanbul. Throughout this process, Yavuz hocam and his assistant, İlkber Hanım, were always there for us, never withholding their support, and crowned this difficult period with a successful minimal invasive (closed-heart surgery). To all my brothers and sisters who are still in the decision-making process after reading the comments here, the only thing I can say is: they can trust hocamız completely—without even doubting “what if,” they can safely entrust themselves to his blessed hands, because it’s clear they will be loved. Whether it was the hospital or the intensive care process, it was simply wonderful. Which doctor, after surgery, waits beside the patient in the intensive care all night until morning and also takes care of the dressings himself every day, and gives his patient a nurse each day? There is also a Merve nurse in the intensive care whose compassion, mercy, and interest in patients are beyond words. Yavuz hocam, I’m so glad you exist. God, may He give you good health. I’m so glad we met you. I’m so glad our paths crossed.

Fikrie Chelek

May 24, 2026

I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to Cardiovascular Surgeon Prof. Dr. Yavuz Beşoğul and his team for achieving a successful outcome from a major heart surgery and for ensuring that the recovery process took place in a very short time. I would like to express my infinite gratitude to Hocam Yavuz, who carried out his work meticulously at every moment throughout this difficult process. I hope his achievements continue forever, and that he will go on to perform many more successful surgeries and bring healing to many patients 🙏🏼

Dursun Tiryaki

Apr 25, 2026

Dear Dr. Yavuz BEŞOĞUL. After the minimally invasive heart surgery you performed on me at Buruni Hospital, you then performed a heart valve surgery on my son-in-law using the same method, and afterwards you again performed surgery on my carotid artery. With all of these, you have almost given both me and my son-in-law a new life. In our difficult times, you remained beside us as a doctor who was a source of hope for us, who gave us confidence at every stage, and who approached us with compassion—you have earned a very special place in our hearts. You deeply impressed us not only with your successful surgeries, but also with your humanity. We would like to express our endless thanks for your effort, your sacrifice, and for the healthy days you have given us. Dursun Tiryaki

Mustafa KIYAK

Apr 11, 2026

I was diagnosed in 2018 with rheumatic aortic valve disease. After the 6 February earthquake, I moved to Istanbul. In 2025, during a control check at a public hospital, they found that my condition had progressed and they directed me to a more equipped hospital. After doing my research, I found Prof. Dr. Yavuz Beşoğul, and I had the opportunity to meet him. The people who would perform the surgery had told me that it was a difficult operation and that there was a possibility I might not stay on the operating table, so I was even more afraid. When I spoke with Prof. Dr. Yavuz, he told me that the surgery name might sound frightening, but that I should not be afraid, and that according to him, the surgery had a 98–99% chance of success. As expected, on 8 December 2025 I had the surgery. I stayed in the intensive care unit for the second night and for 8 days on the regular ward. Right now, 4 months and 3 days have passed since the operation. Thank God, there is no trace of that sick version of me left. Back then, when I walked on a flat road, I would get out of breath almost immediately. Now, I run up and down the stairs quickly. During the time I was in the hospital, I would call the team and even at midnight they would give information about the patient’s condition. A good doctor is like a second life, my friends. May Allah be pleased with our dear Prof. Dr. Yavuz and his valuable team first and foremost.

mustafa ayten

Feb 21, 2026

I had an aortic aneurysm and my aortic valve needed to be replaced. Although most doctors said that my vessel had to be replaced for the aneurysm, Yavuz Hocam told me that my vessel wasn’t at the extent that required replacement and that wrapping with a graft would solve the problem, and he successfully performed my surgery. As he said, after the surgery my vessel began to gradually return toward normal sizes over time. Yavuz Hocam’s skills are beyond description—before the surgery, during the intensive care process, and after. He even takes care of the dressing himself. His kindness, warmth, and fatherly demeanor. May Allah be pleased with my precious Hocam and his assistant İlkber Hanım, who made it possible for me to see these days. You can choose Yavuz Hocam with peace of mind. I wish all patients healing from Allah.

Songul Dede

Dec 19, 2025

In shortness of breath that I had been experiencing for about 20 days, they said I had mitral valve insufficiency and that I needed surgery. I kept going to the hospitals I’d already tried, and I even went back and forth from Kocaeli. They told me it wasn’t necessary to get surgery earlier and said, “You’re using the wrong medication,” and their moral support completely shattered me. Now I’m a controlled patient and I’ll have to go every 6 months. If another surgeon had been there, they could have done the surgery right away. May God always let me meet good people. Surely, I will find Hocam Yavuz. May Allah grant everyone healing.