Walter Klepetko

years of experience

Walter Klepetko

Specialization: Thoracic surgeon
48 years of experience
Speaks:
German, English
Workplace: Austria, Vienna, Wiener Privatklinik
Head of the Department of Thoracic Surgery at the Medical University of Vienna
Dr. Walter Klepetko is a thoracic surgeon at Wiener Privatklinik in Vienna. He heads the Department of Thoracic Surgery at the Medical University of Vienna. He performed one of Austria’s first lung transplants. Dr. Klepetko is a pioneer in thoracic oncology and complex transplantation medicine.
- Founded the Vienna Lung Transplant Program, performing over 100 transplants annually.
- Co-developed the surgical technique for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in transplants.
- Led the surgical team for Formula 1 legend Niki Lauda’s lung transplant.
- Specializes in lobectomy, lung segmentectomy, and thymoma treatment.

4.6

Excellent score

20 patient verified reviews

1 star

2 stars

3 stars

15%

4 stars

10%

5 stars

65%

Patient reviews

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1-5 of 20 reviews

Anonymous • CT scan of the whole body

Slovenia

Jun 2, 2026

Verified review.

Given how positive my experience was, I would definitely recommend this clinic to anyone needing similar care

My biggest concern was the anxiety around getting a full-body CT scan, but that worry disappeared quickly. From the moment I walked in, the staff made me feel comfortable and explained every single step, which was incredibly reassuring. The clinic was clean and organized, and the medical team was both professional and genuinely kind throughout the entire process. Everything went smoothly. Given how positive my experience was, I would definitely recommend this clinic to anyone needing similar care. I'm grateful for how they handled my case with such efficiency and compassion.

Nothing

Anonymous • PET/CT

Ukraine

May 15, 2026

Verified review.

My experience has been entirely negative. The treatment prescribed did not follow the standard protocol for this condition. Under this treatment, the condition only worsened. I was given information about the most effective treatment currently used worldwide. I never received the doctor’s conclusion following the consultation, even though I asked for it several times. And on top of everything else, judging by the result, it wasn’t worth €500. A treatment that doesn’t work, with no documentation whatsoever. Just a conversation with a professor to whom you have to ask a thousand questions and figure out the treatment options for your condition yourself, because he offers nothing and explains nothing.

Speed of service delivery

The treatment recommended by the professor at the Austrian clinic was completely at odds with standard treatment protocols I never received the discharge summary, even though I had asked for it several times

Tetyana • Metastases in the liver

Ukraine

Apr 19, 2026

Verified review.

Anonymous • Male Check-up

Poland

Apr 3, 2026

Verified review.

I’m glad I chose to come here

It was the right decision. Right from the start, I felt that they were looking after me, from the organisation of the trip right through to the clinic itself. The staff were incredibly attentive and supportive every step of the way. Special thanks to the doctor, who explained everything very patiently and clearly, dispelling any doubts I had. The clinic is clean and modern. The examination itself went smoothly and without any unnecessary stress. I’m glad I chose to come here.

Very nice admin and over qualification doctor. I hope my dream will come true and I do my plastic surgery

Anonymous • Otoplasty (ear surgery)

Austria

Oct 27, 2025

Verified review.

It was performed by the very best doctor, Igor Pona

I had an operation on 16 October 2025. It was performed by the very best doctor, Igor Pona. The procedure was an otoplasty. I really liked the clinic where the operation took place.The clinic’s medical staff were always there for me and kept asking how I was feeling. I am also very grateful to the staff at Bookimed for arranging transport. They took me to the clinic for the operation and brought me home afterwards.I am very pleased with the results of my surgery, three months on. I am very grateful to Dr Egor Pona, and indeed to the entire staff at the Bookimed clinic.

I had an otoplasty in October 2025. It’s been three months and a week, and the results are fantastic. I am delighted with the result. I would like to thank Bookimed Clinic. I specifically asked the clinic staff for a Russian-speaking doctor; the clinic replied the very next day and informed me that they had a Russian-speaking doctor available. I was given an appointment with the doctor about a week later. The staff at Bookimed Clinic were in constant contact with me. They were incredibly supportive. They kept asking how I was getting on and how I was feeling. They told me not to worry and that everything would be fine.

Doctor's services

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Qualifications

Prof. Dr. Walter Klepetko is a thoracic surgeon known for his work in lung transplantation and thoracic oncology. He directs the Department of Thoracic Surgery at the Medical University of Vienna. The specialist performed one of Austria’s first lung transplants in 1989.

Specialization and Clinical Focus

Dr. Klepetko treats complex thoracic diseases, specializing in lung cancer and thymoma. He uses minimally invasive techniques and extended surgical procedures. The surgeon also performs lung transplantation for patients with advanced lung failure. He co-developed the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) technique for heart-lung transfers. This technology provides life support for patients with severe respiratory failure — a machine that pumps and oxygenates a patient's blood outside the body.

Lung Transplantation Leadership

Dr. Klepetko founded the Vienna Lung Transplant Program in 1989. This initiative grew into a large center. His team performs over 100 transplants annually. In 2018, he led the successful lung transplant for Niki Lauda. The doctor works with neighboring countries to improve donor organ availability. Additionally, he joined ten former patients on a climb to Kilimanjaro in 2017.

Professional Experience

Current — Head of the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna
Current — Consultant and Professor, Wiener Privatklinik
Current — Director of the Lung Transplantation Program, Vienna General Hospital (AKH)
2000s — Appointed Head of Thoracic Surgery at the Medical University of Vienna
1980s — Completed specialist training at Vienna General Hospital

Education and Training

Completeled advanced training as an international fellow at:

1978 — Medical Degree, University of Vienna, Austria
Specialist Training — Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Vienna, Austria
Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong
Toronto General Hospital, Canada
Massachusetts General Hospital, USA
Papworth Hospital Cambridge, UK

Surgical Procedures Performed

Lung transplantation
Lobectomy and lung segmentectomy — surgical removal of a large or small section of the lung
Lung cancer surgery
Thymoma removal — surgery to remove a tumor in the thymus gland
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)

Walter Klepetko

Patient reviews

Doctor's services

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Qualifications

Specialization and Clinical Focus

Lung Transplantation Leadership

Professional Experience

Education and Training

Surgical Procedures Performed

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