Memorial Şişli Hospital
Memorial Şişli Hospital
Turkey, Istanbul
Mehmet Aydogan
26 years of experience
accreditations :
Clinic is certified :
The total cost of spinal cord abscess treatment in Turkey varies based on the treatment plan and procedures involved. For instance, sacral tumor surgery can be priced at $22,000, while a comprehensive package that includes PET CT and anterior instrumentation may cost around $30,500. Additionally, plans involving lumbar laminectomy and stabilization might be offered at $29,000. The treatment program is tailored after the doctor"s evaluation of each patient"s specific needs and medical condition.
| Turkey | Austria | Spain | |
| Removal of spinal cord tumor | from $9,650 | from $50,000 | from $40,000 |
| Proton-beam therapy | from $70,000 | from $80,000 | from $25,818 |
| Da Vinci Robotic System | from $9,500 | from $22,000 | from $17,000 |
| CyberKnife | from $4,750 | from $50,000 | from $30,000 |
Dr. Ertugrul Pinar specializes in spinal cord abscess treatment at Hisar Hospital Intercontinental, with expertise in neurosurgery for both adults and children.
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hilmi Kaya is a professor of neurosurgery at Anadolu Medical Center in Gebze, Turkey. He earned his MD from Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa (English program). He completed his neurosurgery residency there from 1996 to 2003. He became a professor in 2015. He also completed observerships at Maastricht University in 2007 and 2009.
His clinical focus includes functional and stereotactic neurosurgery, including deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor. He also treats spinal tumors and spinal stenosis and performs spinal instrumentation. He manages skull base and brain tumors. He performs vascular surgery of the central nervous system.
Achievements include leading a Parkinson’s research project at Ondokuz Mayıs University (BAP, Project No. T.597, 2008). He supervised a neurosurgery thesis in 2008. His awards include third place at the 2nd National Congress of the Society of Neurosurgery in 2006, the Turkish Neurosurgical Society Overseas Scholarship in 2008, and the Aysima Altınok Thesis Award in 2009. Several of his papers ranked at the 22nd and 23rd Turkish Neurosurgical Society Scientific Congresses in 2008 and 2009. He is a member of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society and the Turkish Medical Association.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Melih Uc specializes in neurosurgery with a focus on spinal cord conditions, including tumors and abscesses.
Prof. Dr. Erhan Arslan specializes in spinal cord surgery with over 19 years of experience of neurosurgical experience at top institutions.
Top neurosurgeons for spinal cord abscess in Turkey include Prof. Dr. Ilhan Elmaci and Prof. Dr. Serdar Kahraman. These specialists perform precise drainage and decompression at JCI-accredited centers using micro-neurosurgery. They hold prestigious fellowships from Yale and Zurich to handle complex spinal infections.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkey stands out because specialists often hold dual certifications from both the US and Europe. For example, Prof. Dr. Gulsah Bademci at Private Koru Ankara Hospital is double board-certified. This means patients receive care following both American and European clinical protocols for spinal infections.
Patient Consensus: Patients were surprised that the recovery requires weeks of IV antibiotics after the initial surgery. Those who had early MRI-detected abscesses appreciated how quickly surgeons at hospitals like Medipol arranged decompression. Many noted that minimally invasive methods significantly reduced pain, though mobility returned gradually over several months.
Choose a neurosurgeon in Turkey who specializes in complex spinal cord infections and holds board certifications from the Turkish Neurosurgical Society. Prioritize specialists with international fellowships from institutions like Yale or Florida University, and ensure the facility maintains JCI accreditation for safety.
Bookimed Expert Insight: A key differentiator in Turkey is the presence of neurosurgeons who are also medical inventors. For example, Dr. Onur Yaman at Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital holds a patent for a spinal laminoplasty plate. Choosing a surgeon who develops surgical tools often indicates a deep understanding of spinal anatomy and innovative recovery techniques.
Patient Consensus: Patients recommend interviewing multiple neurosurgeons via video calls to discuss drainage techniques in detail. They often feel more secure when the clinic provides a dedicated English-speaking coordinator for daily post-op check-ins.
Most neurosurgeons at top Turkish private hospitals speak fluent English for medical consultations and complex procedures. Many specialists, such as those at NP Istanbul Brain Hospital or Liv Hospital Ulus, hold international fellowships from prestigious institutions in the United States and Europe.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that English proficiency is highest among doctors with international research backgrounds. For instance, Dr. Gulsah Bademci and Dr. Mehmet Ozek both completed fellowships at Yale University. Choosing a doctor with such credentials ensures they can explain complex spinal cord abscess treatments clearly in English.
Patient Consensus: Patients find that while senior neurosurgeons communicate clinical details fluently, supporting staff like nurses or receptionists may have limited English. Some suggest using WhatsApp for written coordination, as it often proves clearer than phone calls for non-native speakers.
Healthcare is the key development sector of the Turkish government. The Turkish authorities are convinced that care for the citizens' health should be an absolute priority of state policy and spend about 77 billion liras for healthcare annually.
As a result, 28,000 medical facilities provide excellent medical care in the country. About 50 centers have certificate of JCI (Joint Commission International), the international improver of healthcare quality and safety across the globe. The index of certificates obtained is the largest. To compare, Israel has 20 JCI-accredited facilities, and Germany — only 10 clinics of this type.
| Currency | lira (you also can pay for services in dollars and euros) |
| Best period for the trip | May-October |
| Language | Turkish (most of medical staff speaks English fluently) |
| Visa | is not required for a trip of at least 30 days per visit |
| Time difference with Europe | 3 hours |
| Time difference with the USA | 8 hours |
| Capital | Ankara |
| Medical tourism center | Istanbul |
| Popular resorts | Alanya, Antalya, Kemer, Marmaris |
In Turkey, hotels of different price ranges and service levels are presented. The level of Turkish hotels is comparable to hotels in Tunisia, Morocco or Egypt. 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.
The main advantage of Turkish resorts is the long beach season. On the Mediterranean coast, it starts in April and lasts until November. In the resorts of the Aegean Sea — from May to October. The most comfortable time for swimming is from mid-June to the end of October. A large influx of tourists is in July-August, when the air temperature is +38°C, and the water warms up to +27°C.
In 2020, the Republic of Turkey has visa-free agreements with 89 states. Some foreigners are exempted from obtaining entry visas, others are required to receive an electronic visa (e-Visa), and still others must apply for a visa at Turkish missions abroad.
What states need a visa for treatment in Turkey and what countries can cross the border free and easy read here.
Visas for travel to Turkey require a number of documents. The necessary papers can be submitted 90 days before the planned departure. Lists of documents includes: