JK Plastic Surgery Center
JK Plastic Surgery Center
Republic of Korea, Seoul
Kim Sung Sik
20 years of experience
accreditations :
Clinic is certified :
The cost of heart valve replacement in South Korea typically ranges from $27,500 to $44,500. Prices vary depending on the type of valve (mechanical or bioprosthetic), the hospital, the surgeon’s experience, and whether the procedure is minimally invasive or open surgery. In the United States, the average cost is $200,000 (per AHA). This means heart valve replacement in South Korea is about 82% less expensive than in the U.S.
South Korean hospitals usually include pre-op tests, surgery, anesthesia, the heart valve prosthesis, ICU care, medications, and follow-up visits in their packages. In the U.S., the price often covers only the procedure itself, with separate bills for the prosthesis, anesthesia, ICU, and aftercare. Always confirm exactly what’s included with each hospital before booking.
Why do patients choose the Republic of Korea for heart valve replacement?
Access advanced Heart Valve Replacement solutions in trusted clinics .
| Republic of Korea | Turkey | Austria | |
| Heart Valve Replacement | from $27,500 | from $12,000 | from $70,000 |
| Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) | from $28,500 | from $23,000 | from $40,000 |
| Replacement of the aortic valve | from $28,500 | from $12,260 | from $35,000 |
| Plastic surgery for cardiac valve | from $28,500 | from $8,000 | from $35,000 |
| Valvuloplasty | - | from $15,000 | from $40,000 |
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Remember, each patient"s recovery is unique and may vary based on their health condition and the complexity of the heart valve replacement.
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Dr. Yoon Eul-sik is an experienced Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon with 35+ years of experience and membership in several prestigious societies, including The Korean Medical Association, Korean Society of Association of Microsurgery, and American Society of Plastic Surgery. He specialises in Plastic Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery, Aesthetic Surgery, Laser Hair Removal, Laser Facial Rejuvenation, Fraxel Lasers, Cosmetic Breast Surgery, and Liposuction.
Dr. Paik Nam-sun is a world-renowned surgeon in the field of breast cancer, thyroid cancer, and surgical oncology. He is the first in South Korea to have successfully performed the breast conserving surgery and has authored a unique stomach cancer surgery that reduces the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease. He is an expert in the diagnosis and management of breast cancer and a member of the Korean Society of Cancer Prevention and the Korean Cancer Association.
When considering Heart Valve Replacement, it’s important to understand the different techniques and which is best suited for you. Here’s a concise comparison of popular options:
A minimally invasive procedure to replace a narrowed aortic valve that fails to open properly.
This procedure involves replacing a diseased aortic valve with a mechanical or bioprosthetic valve to improve heart function.
This procedure focuses on repairing or modifying existing heart valves to improve function and blood flow.
This procedure addresses issues in heart valves caused by disease, damage, or degeneration, restoring proper blood flow and heart function.
Typical valve-replacement medical travel packages in South Korea include the surgical procedure, prosthetic device, and a 5–10 day hospital stay spanning Intensive Care and private wards. These bundles also cover anesthesia, pre-operative diagnostics like echocardiograms, airport transfers, and dedicated translation services to navigate JCI-accredited facilities in Seoul.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many countries offer basic surgery, Korean centers like Samsung Medical Center integrate advanced digital systems to minimize errors. Typical packages here often bundle a pre-operative dental evaluation. This specific step is vital because treating oral infections beforehand significantly reduces the risk of post-surgical endocarditis.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize budgeting for a 3–6 week stay to allow for recovery. Most suggest verifying coordinator responsiveness and confirming if hotel upgrades are included before arriving in Seoul.
Heart valve replacement success in South Korea is among the highest globally, consistently exceeding 95%. Procedural success for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) reaches 99.7%, while robotic mitral repairs exceed 98%. Top Seoul-based centers report surgical mortality rates as low as 0.5% for high-volume surgeons.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows a clear quality gap between general hospitals and high-volume centers like Samsung Medical Center. While standard centers are safe, top-tier Seoul facilities perform over 45,000 yearly operations. This massive volume allows surgeons to maintain a 0.5% mortality rate. We recommend centers with Newsweek World's Best Hospital rankings to ensure these benchmark outcomes.
Patient Consensus: Patients report faster access to care with wait times often under 2 weeks. Many emphasize the rapid recovery possible through robotic-assisted techniques and lower local infection rates.
For a heart valve replacement in South Korea, international patients should plan for a 21 to 28 day stay. This window accounts for pre-operative tests, a 7-day hospital admission, and 2 weeks of local recovery for essential anticoagulation monitoring and follow-up echocardiograms before long-haul travel.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many think of Seoul clinics like Asan Medical Center for its massive volume—performing 45% of Korea's heart transplants—the real differentiator is discharge stability. Leading Korean centers often require 10 to 14 days of proven post-operative stability before granting international travel clearance, which is longer than US discharge protocols.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the need for family accompaniment during the first 14 days for mobility assistance and recommend staying in central areas like Myeongdong for easy hospital access.
Asan Medical Center, Samsung Medical Center, and Severance Hospital are the premier institutions for heart valve replacement in Republic of Korea. These facilities maintain global leadership in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and robotic surgery, often achieving success rates exceeding 99% for complex cardiac procedures.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many choose the Big 5 for reputation, patients should note that Severance and Asan report lower readmission rates due to unique post-operative rehab protocols. These specific recovery programs are often more intensive than standard Western practices, potentially leading to more stable long-term outcomes.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize choosing JCI-accredited Big 5 hospitals to ensure 95% satisfaction rates and access to English-speaking staff. Many noted that robotic-assisted surgeries at Severance yielded better results than their experiences at some major US facilities.
Major South Korean tertiary hospitals provide extensive English-speaking staff and dedicated international healthcare centers (IHC). Facilities like Severance Hospital and Samsung Medical Center offer multilingual coordinators, fast-track registration, and assistance with medical insurance claims to ensure a seamless experience for foreign patients.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While elite centers like Asan Medical Center handle vast volumes—performing 45% of Korea's heart transplants—the level of English fluency drops significantly in general wards. Patients should choose JCI-accredited or GHA-certified hospitals, as these institutions specifically structure their nursing protocols and emergency hotlines to accommodate non-Korean speakers 24/7.
Patient Consensus: Patients recommend sticking to major medical centers in Seoul for complex procedures to avoid language barriers. Many suggest using the Papago app for technical medical terms when interacting with support staff.
South Korean hospitals provide three primary heart valve replacement techniques: traditional open-heart surgery via sternotomy, minimally invasive thoracotomy, and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Leading Seoul institutions utilize robotic systems and catheters to ensure success rates of 98-99% while minimizing surgical trauma for high-risk patients.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While TAVR is rising in popularity, Korean surgeons often recommend traditional mechanical valves for younger patients. Asan Medical Center performs 45% of Korea's heart transplants. Their high volume translates to exceptional expertise in complex valve reconstructions that other centers might bypass for replacement.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the need to verify a surgeon's specific annual valve volume. They also suggest planning at least 4-6 weeks for local recovery before attempting international flights.
Hospital stays after valve surgery in South Korea range from 2 to 12 days depending on the surgical approach. Minimally invasive procedures like TAVR typically require 2 to 3 days. Standard open-heart surgery requires 5 to 12 days, including 1 to 3 days in intensive care.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While most clinics suggest 12 days, data from high-volume centers like Asan Medical Center shows 85% of elective patients leave by day 6. Asan performs 45% of Korea's heart transplants. This high volume often leads to more efficient recovery protocols for valve patients.
Patient Consensus: Expect to start walking by day 2 and follow strict physiotherapy. International patients should budget for a translator to avoid communication delays during the first month of monitoring.