Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital
Surgical treatment of epilepsy in Turkey typically costs from $9,600 to $19,100. The final price depends on the surgical technique, pre-operative mapping complexity, and the clinic tier. Patients save around 81% compared to the US, where this procedure costs $77,500 on average. Standard surgical packages in Turkey usually include the procedure, neurosurgeon fees, hospitalization, and often airport transfers.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Choosing Istanbul clinics often provides access to specialized centers like NP Istanbul Brain Hospital. This facility is recognized as Europe's second-ranked brain hospital. For complex cases, seeking professors with international backgrounds is a smart move. Experts like Professor Ilhan Elmaci or Nejat Akalan bring experience from JCI-accredited institutions. Package prices at Memorial Göztepe Hospital reflect high-end care, including comprehensive preoperative tests in their $31,800 offers.
Why do patients choose Turkey for the surgical treatment of epilepsy?
Access advanced Surgical treatment of epilepsy solutions in trusted clinics .
| Turkey | Austria | Spain | |
| Surgical treatment of epilepsy | from $9,573 | from $30,000 | from $25,000 |
| Vagus nerve stimulation | from $150 | from $30,000 | from $15,000 |
| Medication treatment for epilepsy | from $100 | from $1,100 | from $400 |
| Multiple subpial transections | from $14,500 | - | from $69,444 |
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Please note that each patient"s case is individual and may vary. Decisions about the exact course of treatment should be made in cooperation with your healthcare provider.
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Dr. Mehmet Tonge specializes in stereotactic and functional neurosurgery at Medipol University, focusing on innovative treatments for epilepsy.
Prof. Ersoy Kocabicak specializes in deep brain stimulation for epilepsy at Atlas University Hospital, with extensive research and surgical expertise.
Specializes in surgical treatment of epilepsy at VM Medical Park Florya Hospital, with extensive experience in neurosurgery.
Prof. Dr. Hasan Ozgur Ozdemir specializes in endoscopic brain surgery and vascular operations at Medical Park Antalya Hospital Complex.
Written by Anna Leonova
Top Turkish neurosurgeons for drug-resistant epilepsy include board-certified experts with international fellowships from institutions like Yale and Maastricht. These specialists use advanced intraoperative MRI and neuronavigation to target epileptic foci. Many hold leadership roles in the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows a strong concentration of specialized academic leadership in Istanbul clinics. For example, Prof. Ersoy Kocabicak and Dr. Mehmet Tonge hold key board positions in national and international stereotactic neurosurgery societies. Patients seeking neuromodulation like DBS or VNS may benefit from this high level of peer-recognized academic authority found at Atlas University and Medipol.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that arriving with detailed local medical records helps speed up the pre-surgical evaluation. They often mention feeling more comfortable at clinics that provide dedicated translators and help with travel logistics. Many are surprised by how much more personal attention they receive compared to hospitals back home.
Turkish epilepsy specialists complete rigorous medical training overseen by the Ministry of Health and Medical Specialty Board. These experts typically spend 12 to 14 years in education. They hold medical degrees, followed by residencies in neurology or neurosurgery and advanced subspecialty fellowships.
Bookimed Expert Insight: A notable pattern among elite Turkish neurosurgeons is specialized training under world-renowned figures. For example, Dr. Nejat Akalan and Prof. Dr. Ilhan Elmaci both trained in micro-neurosurgery under Professor M. Gazi Yasargil at Zurich University. This specific lineage of training often translates to high precision in pediatric and complex adult epilepsy surgeries at clinics like Medipol Mega University Hospital.
Patient Consensus: Patients highlight how comforting it is to work with doctors who explain EEG results in simple terms. They often mention feeling confident because their surgical teams use advanced imaging like intraoperative MRI to ensure safety. Many travelers note that the coordination between neurologists and surgeons makes the diagnostic process feel much smoother.
Pediatric epilepsy surgery specialists in Turkey are exceptionally qualified with many holding over 30 years of clinical experience. These experts often possess international fellowships from prestigious institutions like Yale and Johns Hopkins. They specialize in complex, drug-resistant cases using advanced real-time brain mapping technologies.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows a high concentration of dual-trained experts in Istanbul who combine neurology diagnostics with neurosurgical mastery. For example, Dr. Nejat Akalan at Medipol Mega University Hospital has published 110+ papers on epilepsy. This academic depth is common among Turkish professors, where surgeons like Dr. Ersoy Kocabicak at Atlas University also serve as university leadership, ensuring they remain at the forefront of neuromodulation and deep brain stimulation research.
Patient Consensus: Parents note that the presence of dedicated epilepsy councils made them feel more confident about the surgical plan. They frequently mention the relief of having translators and advanced imaging like EEG monitoring available in one building. Families often highlight that specialists take the time to explain how intraoperative navigation will keep their child safe.
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: