Dr. Sang Won Hwang has performed 6,000+ spine surgeries over more than 25 years. He uses the Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy technique at Leadheal Hospital’s dedicated center. This minimally invasive approach focuses on nerve decompression while preserving healthy tissue. The hospital serves over 40,000 patients annually and earned a 1st-grade antibiotic prescription rating. Dr. Hwang and the team prioritize conservative care before recommending surgery. They offer tailored recovery plans for international patients from North America, Asia, and Australia.
","text_type":"mt_wow_description","best_texts":{"techniques":"UBE","why_its_ranked":"Uses Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy (UBE) for nerve decompression preserving healthy tissue. Dedicated Spine Endoscopy Center. Surgeons performed 6,000+ spine surgeries."},"agency_settings":[{"setting_name":"is_new","setting_value":"0"},{"setting_name":"kids_only","setting_value":"0"}],"procedure_prices":[{"prices":{"price_from":15000,"price_to":20000,"currency":"USD","id":55274},"operation":{"id":1342,"name":"Endoscopic discectomy","alias":"endoscopic-discectomy"}}],"reviews":[],"clinic":{"id":7611,"alias":"leadheal-hospital","name":"Leadheal Hospital","short_description":"Leadheal Hospital is a private multi-specialty medical center in Seoul that serves over 44,000 patients each year. It specializes in neurosurgery, orthopedics, and spinal surgery for adults.
6,000+ spine surgeries performed – Dr. Hwang specializes in minimally invasive techniques that promote faster recovery.
Dr. Sangwon Hwang has performed over 6,000 spine surgeries at Leadheal Hospital in Seoul. He is a neurosurgeon specializing in endoscopic and minimally invasive techniques. Dr. Hwang treats complex cases like spinal tumors and revision surgeries. He focuses on procedures that reduce pain and speed up recovery times.
Leadheal Hospital is a private multi-specialty medical center in Seoul that serves over 44,000 patients each year. It specializes in neurosurgery, orthopedics, and spinal surgery for adults.
Dr. Han Yeongmin is a neurosurgeon (MD, PhD). He is Medical Director and Director of the Neurosurgery Center at Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital. He treats cerebrovascular disease and peripheral nerve disorders. He also specializes in brain tumors and skull base surgery. Conditions include stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, and moyamoya disease. He performs PEN, PNP, and SNB. He also offers microscopic and endoscopic discectomy, artificial disc replacement, MIS-TLIF/minimally invasive spinal fusion, and vertebroplasty.
\nHe earned his MD and PhD from The Catholic University of Korea. He served as a visiting professor in cerebrovascular and skull base surgery at Barrow Neurological Institute (Phoenix, Arizona, USA). He also served at Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington (Seattle, USA).
\nHis publications include co-authorship of Chapter 52 of the Textbook of Korean Cerebrovascular Surgery. He also co-authored Acoustic Neuroma Oncology. He is a full member of KNS, KSCVS, KSBS, KBTS, KNTS, KSNS, and KSPNS.
","specialities":[{"id":"nrs.001","name":"Neurosurgeon","illness_kind_id":2}],"statistics":{}},"clinic":{"id":8215,"alias":"naeun-hospital","name":"NAEUN HOSPITAL","short_description":"NAEUN HOSPITAL is a private multi-specialty medical center located in Incheon, Republic of Korea, a 40-minute drive from Incheon International Airport. The hospital specializes in urology, mammology, medical check-ups and stem cell therapy, offering treatments such as herniated disc surgery, breast tumor removal, treatment of uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts, and kidney stone removal. It also operates three health screening centers located in different districts of the city.
NAEUN HOSPITAL serves both adults and children, treating 500,000 patients every year. Patients visit the clinic most often from Asia, the USA, Canada, Australia and Russian-speaking countries.
","images":[{"base_url":"clinic/6a4710f450483","title":"Patients in gowns at NAEUN HOSPITAL corridor, modern medical facility"},{"base_url":"clinic/6a471214eb5ca","title":"NAEUN HOSPITAL modern clinic building exterior in South Korea"},{"base_url":"clinic/6a4f5105939fa","title":"Robotic surgery with Da Vinci system at NAEUN HOSPITAL operating room"},{"base_url":"clinic/6a4f5138ed511","title":"Doctor consulting patient with MRI scans at NAEUN HOSPITAL, South Korea"}],"flags":[{"name":"has_active_agencies","value":true},{"name":"is_hide","value":false}],"geo":{"country":{"name":"Republic of Korea","id":36,"alias":"republic-of-korea","iso_code":"KR"},"city":{"name":"Incheon","id":327,"alias":"incheon"},"address":"22-2 Inhyeon-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon, South Korea"},"rating":{"rating":5,"google":3.4,"percent_of_satisfied_clients":98},"statistics":{"number_of_reviews":1,"doctors_number":90,"year_foundation":1994},"accreditations":[{"logo":"https://s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/bookimed/accreditations/69eb43f63d69e1.58134970.jpeg","name":"Advanced Regenerative Medicine Implementation Institution (Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea)","country_code":"KR"},{"logo":"https://s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/bookimed/accreditations/5df76f5a0c887.jpeg","name":"Korean Institute for Healthcare Accreditation","country_code":"KR"}]}},{"doctor":{"id":12003,"alias":"jang-hyo-kim","name":"Jang Hyo Kim","clinic_id":7611,"photo":"doctor/6a0431086dda9","first_year_working":1990,"created_at":"2026-05-13T08:06:30.147+00:00","short_description":"Dr. Jang Hyo Kim is an orthopedic surgeon at Leadheal Hospital in Seoul. He specializes in joint preservation and complex reconstruction. He completed a fellowship in Ilizarov external fixation surgery in Russia. Dr. Kim currently serves as the Joint Center Director at Very Good Hospital. He is an adjunct professor at Kyung Hee University.
Leadheal Hospital is a private multi-specialty medical center in Seoul that serves over 44,000 patients each year. It specializes in neurosurgery, orthopedics, and spinal surgery for adults.
Leadheal Hospital operates a specialized spine center that treats 40,000+ patients every year. Dr. Sang Won Hwang leads the team with over 25 years of experience. He has personally performed 6,000+ spine surgeries. The clinic offers microscopic cervical laminectomy and advanced UBE endoscopic nerve decompression. Specialists use a high-resolution GE 1.5T MRI for precise pre-operative imaging. The medical team follows a conservative philosophy, focusing on surgery only when other treatments fail to help.
","package_price":25000,"actual_price":25000,"calculated_price":{"from":0,"to":0},"currency":{"code":"USD","symbol":"$","name":"Доллар","rate":1},"doctors":[{"id":11517,"name":"Sangwon Hwang","alias":"sangwon-hwang","photo":"doctor/69bb64835cdc5","first_year_working":1996,"short_description":"Dr. Sangwon Hwang has performed over 6,000 spine surgeries at Leadheal Hospital in Seoul. He is a neurosurgeon specializing in endoscopic and minimally invasive techniques. Dr. Hwang treats complex cases like spinal tumors and revision surgeries. He focuses on procedures that reduce pain and speed up recovery times.
Leadheal Hospital is a private multi-specialty medical center in Seoul that serves over 44,000 patients each year. It specializes in neurosurgery, orthopedics, and spinal surgery for adults.
Leadheal Hospital operates a specialized spine center that treats 40,000+ patients every year. Dr. Sang Won Hwang leads the team with over 25 years of experience. He has personally performed 6,000+ spine surgeries. The clinic offers microscopic cervical laminectomy and advanced UBE endoscopic nerve decompression. Specialists use a high-resolution GE 1.5T MRI for precise pre-operative imaging. The medical team follows a conservative philosophy, focusing on surgery only when other treatments fail to help.
","package_price":25000,"actual_price":25000,"calculated_price":{"from":0,"to":0},"currency":{"code":"USD","symbol":"$","name":"Доллар","rate":1},"doctors":[{"id":11517,"name":"Sangwon Hwang","alias":"sangwon-hwang","photo":"doctor/69bb64835cdc5","first_year_working":1996,"short_description":"Dr. Sangwon Hwang has performed over 6,000 spine surgeries at Leadheal Hospital in Seoul. He is a neurosurgeon specializing in endoscopic and minimally invasive techniques. Dr. Hwang treats complex cases like spinal tumors and revision surgeries. He focuses on procedures that reduce pain and speed up recovery times.
Leadheal Hospital is a private multi-specialty medical center in Seoul that serves over 44,000 patients each year. It specializes in neurosurgery, orthopedics, and spinal surgery for adults.
Why do patients choose the Republic of Korea for endoscopic discectomy?
\nAccess advanced Endoscopic discectomy solutions in trusted clinics [from-cost].
"},"txt_price":{"text":"Endoscopic discectomy in the Republic of Korea typically costs from _op_1342_price_from_ to _op_1342_price_to_. The total price depends on the hospital tier, surgical complexity, and the number of spinal levels treated. In the US, this procedure costs _price_compare_US_average_ on average. Standard Korean packages usually include preoperative diagnostics, the surgical procedure, nursing care, and a short hospital stay.
\n\nBookimed Expert Insight. Specialized spine centers in Seoul offer high-value premium packages. Leadheal Hospital provides decompression and stabilization surgery for approximately $25,000. This VIP package includes a nutritionist-designed menu and 24-hour nursing. Choosing a surgeon like Sangwon Hwang, with 6,000 procedures, ensures high expertise. The hospital handles over 44,000 patients annually, demonstrating massive clinical volume.
"}},"texts":{}},"faq":[{"id":"5ed9f08a88e8aa5daa4ae4c3","question":"Do I need a visa to South Korea?","answer":"Today, South Korea has visa-free agreements with 112 states. None visa is required for stays under 90 days or less. To stay longer in this country, you need a visa. What states need a visa for treatment in South Korea and what countries can cross the border free and easy read here.
","is_active":true,"category":{"id":"5e3aa27eb517bb3ffb486c42","name":"texts","title":"texts"}},{"id":"5ed9ee4e31e02c46c85d468f","question":"What is the level of medicine in South Korea?","answer":"Healthcare is the key development sector of the Korean government. The Korean authorities are convinced that care for the citizens' health should be an absolute priority of state policy and spend about 1 billion a year for medical tourists attraction.
According to Mark Britnell, hospitals dominate the health system. 94% of hospitals are privately owned.
","is_active":true,"category":{"id":"5e3aa27eb517bb3ffb486c42","name":"texts","title":"texts"}},{"id":"5ed9f23388e8aa5daa4ae4c6","question":"What are the most popular plastic surgery procedures?","answer":"According to ASPS statistics, 17.7 mln cosmetic surgeries and 5.8 mln reconstructive procedures have been performed in 2018. Among cosmetic procedures the most popular are:
Tumor removal, laceration repair, maxillofacial surgery, scar revision, hand surgery are the most common operations in the context of reconstructive surgery.
","is_active":true,"category":{"id":"5e3aa27eb517bb3ffb486c42","name":"texts","title":"texts"}},{"id":"5ed9f0ae88e8aa5daa4ae4c4","question":"What documents are required to apply for a visa to South Korea for treatment?","answer":"Visas for travel to South Korea require a number of documents. The necessary papers can be submitted 90 days before the planned departure. Lists of documents includes:
Currency | South Korean Won (you also can pay for services in dollars) |
Best period for the trip | April, May & June or September, October & November. |
Language | Korean (most of medical staff speaks English fluently) |
Visa | none required for stays under 90 days or less |
Time difference with Europe | 9 hours |
Time difference with the USA | 9 hours |
Capital | Seoul |
Medical tourism center | Seoul |
Popular resorts | Gangwon-do, Gyeongju, Boseong, Jeju |
In South Korea, hotels of different price ranges and service levels are presented. Most tourists choose 4 and 5 star hotels with all-inclusive meals. Such hotels have everything for a comfortable stay: varied food, a large well-groomed territory, animation for children and adults. Some hotels have their own water park, which guests can use for free. Budget travelers can afford to book an economical 3-star hotel with half board or no meals at all.
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medications, especially blood thinners","Fasting as instructed by the anesthesia team","Arrange transport and help at home"],"recovery_timeline":[{"phase":"First 24-48 hours","description":"Mobilization the same day or next day; discharge after observation.","restrictions":["Avoid heavy lifting","Avoid prolonged sitting"]},{"phase":"Weeks 1-2","description":"Gradual increase in walking; wound healing; return to light or desk activity.","restrictions":["Avoid bending and twisting under load","Avoid lifting heavy objects"]},{"phase":"Weeks 2-6","description":"Progressive activity, possible physiotherapy, back to most daily activities.","restrictions":["Avoid strenuous sport and heavy labor until cleared"]},{"phase":"Weeks 6-12","description":"Return to sports and heavy activities as cleared by surgeon.","restrictions":[]}],"rehabilitation_days":{"min":14,"max":42,"unit":"days","qualifier":"Ordinary functional recovery to normal daily activities after uncomplicated single-level surgery."},"result_longevity":"Relief of leg pain is usually durable for years in most patients. Recurrent herniation at the same level occurs in roughly 5-10% of patients, mostly within the first 1-2 years.","revision_rate_pct":{"min":5,"max":12,"unit":"percent","qualifier":"Reoperation for recurrent herniation or incomplete decompression within about 2 years, including conversion to open surgery."},"scars":"Small incision of about 7-10 mm for full-endoscopic approaches (slightly larger for working-channel endoscopic), typically a minimal scar.","sessions_or_stages":{"sessions":{"min":1,"max":1,"unit":"visits","qualifier":"Single operative session for a single-level disc."},"stages":[{"code":"endoscopic_discectomy","label":"Endoscopic removal of herniated disc material","after":{"min":0,"max":0,"unit":"days","qualifier":"Performed on the day of surgery."}}],"qualifier":"Single-stage procedure; follow-up checks are separate."},"success":{"metric":"Patients with significant leg pain relief and good functional outcome","value":85,"unit":"percent of patients","horizon":"1-2 years after surgery","population":"Adults with single-level lumbar disc herniation and radiculopathy after failed conservative care","evidence_status":"limited"},"techniques":[{"name":"Transforaminal endoscopic discectomy","suits_whom":"Typical for lumbar herniations, especially foraminal and paracentral, in suitable anatomy.","recovery":"Often same-day discharge; return to light activity within about 1-2 weeks."},{"name":"Interlaminar endoscopic discectomy","suits_whom":"Often used for L5-S1 or herniations less accessible transforaminally.","recovery":"Similar short recovery; same-day or one-night stay."},{"name":"Microendoscopic (tubular) discectomy","suits_whom":"Selected lumbar herniations; uses a tubular retractor with endoscope.","recovery":"Slightly larger incision; recovery typically days to a few weeks."}],"treatment_conditions":["day_case"],"treatment_duration_hours":{"min":0.75,"max":2,"unit":"hours","qualifier":"Operative time for a single-level lumbar endoscopic discectomy."},"initial_assessment_documents":["Lumbar spine MRI report and images","Lumbar spine X-ray (if available)","Neurologist or spine specialist report","Summary of prior conservative treatment","List of blood thinners"],"travel_trips":{"min":1,"max":1,"one_trip_possible":true,"qualifier":"Stay about 3-7 days including discharge and fitness-to-fly clearance; later checks can be remote."},"clinic_checks":null,"red_flags":null,"warning_signs":null,"take_home":null,"alternatives":null,"technique_details":null}},"hrefLanguages":[{"rel":"alternate","hreflang":"ru","language":"ru","href":"https://ru.bookimed.com/clinics/country=republic-of-korea/procedure=endoskopicheskaya-diskektomiya/"}],"offerFilters":{"offer_count":1,"country_filter":[{"id":46,"name":"Turkey","alias":"turkey","iso_code":"TR"},{"id":36,"name":"Republic of Korea","alias":"republic-of-korea","iso_code":"KR"},{"id":45,"name":"Thailand","alias":"thailand","iso_code":"TH"}],"city_filter":[{"id":328,"name":"Seoul","alias":"seoul","country_iso_code":"KR"}],"price_filter":{"from":25000,"to":25000,"avg":25000},"additional_service":["free_transfer"],"doctor_experience":["diapason_4"],"implants":["no-implant-applicable"],"services":[{"id":"24-hr-nurse-services","type":"common","name":"24-hr nurse services"},{"id":"3-meals-per-day-by-nutritionist","type":"nutrition","name":"3 meals per day by nutritionist"},{"id":"transfer-airport-clinic-airport","type":"transfer","name":"Transfer airport-clinic-airport"},{"id":"vip-lounge","type":"accommodation","name":"VIP Room"}]},"offersBlock":{},"rendersOffersList":false,"fewClinics":true,"topCountriesCount":0}