The Best General Surgeons in Turkey

Specialist doctors serving in the field of general surgery throughout Turkey apply advanced medical methods in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive system, thyroid, hernia, gallbladder, breast, liver, and intestines. Surgeons working in this field are experienced in both open and laparoscopic (closed) surgical techniques and offer their patients a safe and comfortable treatment process.

General surgery specialists adopt a multidisciplinary approach at all stages, from preoperative evaluation to postoperative follow-up and recovery. In common surgical cases such as gallstones, appendicitis, hernia, stomach and colon diseases, they prefer minimally invasive methods, allowing patients to recover more quickly. In addition, modern technologies are used in the early diagnosis and surgical treatment planning of breast cancer, thyroid nodules, and intra-abdominal organ diseases.

Through our platform, you can review general surgery specialists serving in cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Bursa, Antalya, and Adana; and compare the doctors’ areas of expertise, patient reviews, and surgical success rates. By contacting experienced general surgeons from all over Turkey, you can create the most suitable treatment plan for yourself and confidently take the first step toward a healthy life.

Why Does Turkey Have the Best General Surgery Doctors in the World?

Turkey stands out with its doctors specialized in the field of general surgery and with high success rates. Surgeons provide services at international standards in both open and laparoscopic methods. Thanks to the strong infrastructure of medical faculties, comprehensive surgical training programs, and technological opportunities, Turkish general surgeons are among the professionals safely preferred by patients from many countries.

General surgery specialists perform the surgical treatment of the digestive system, intra-abdominal organs, thyroid, breast, and some soft tissue diseases. They perform many operations using both open and laparoscopic (closed) methods.

1) Gallbladder Surgery
In cases of gallstones and inflammation, the gallbladder is usually removed by laparoscopic (closed) method (cholecystectomy).

2) Hernia Surgeries
Abdominal wall hernias such as inguinal hernia, umbilical hernia, and incisional hernia are repaired with open or closed techniques.

3) Appendicitis Surgery
In cases of acute appendicitis, the appendix is removed. The closed method is mostly preferred.

4) Stomach Surgeries
Stomach cancer surgery, ulcer complications, and obesity surgery (such as gastric sleeve) are within the field of general surgery.

5) Intestinal Surgeries
Surgery is performed in cases such as large intestine and small intestine tumors, diverticulitis, and intestinal obstructions.

6) Hemorrhoid and Anal Region Surgeries
Surgeries are performed for hemorrhoids, anal fissure, fistula, and pilonidal sinus.

7) Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgeries
In thyroid nodules, goiter, and thyroid cancer, all or part of the thyroid gland may be removed.

8) Breast Surgery
Breast cancer surgeries, mass removal (lumpectomy), and in some cases mastectomy are performed.

9) Liver and Pancreas Surgery
Advanced surgical procedures are applied in liver cysts, tumors, and pancreatic diseases.

General surgery specialists also perform emergency trauma surgery, biopsy procedures, and some interventional procedures. Which surgery will be performed is determined according to the type and stage of the disease and the patient’s general health condition.

Prof. Dr. Ebru Ayvazoğlu Soy

Prof. Dr. Ebru Ayvazoğlu Soy successfully completed her medical education at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine. She received her specialist training in general surgery at Başkent University Faculty of Medicine and earned the title of general surgeon. She started and served in her professional career as a general surgery specialist at Muş State Hospital between 2012 and 2014. In 2014, she returned to Başkent University Faculty of Medicine and focused on her academic career. She served at this institution for many years, holding the titles of General Surgery Specialist (2014-2017), Assistant Professor (2017-2019), and finally Associate Professor (2019-2022). During this period, between 2016 and 2017, she also took on an additional administrative and clinical responsibility as the Deputy Responsible for Liver Transplantation at Başkent University Istanbul Practice Hospital. Since 2022, she has been continuing her professional work within Bayındır Health Group. Her surgical practice currently focuses on three main and specific areas: the first is Hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery (liver, pancreas, and biliary tract diseases), the second is proctology (anal region diseases such as hemorrhoids, perianal fissure, and fistula), and the third is breast surgery.

Address: YDA Center, Kızılırmak, Dumlupınar Blv. No:9 A Block Floor: 7 Flat: 235/B, 06510 Çankaya/Ankara

Prof. Dr. Fatih Ağalar

Prof. Dr. Fatih Ağalar graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Medicine in 1986. He completed his general surgery specialist training at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine between 1988 and 1994. He started his academic career at Süleyman Demirel University in 1988 and received the title of associate professor there in 1999. He then moved to Kırıkkale University, became a professor in 2005, and served as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine in 2006. Throughout his professional career, he held important surgical and administrative positions at institutions such as Anadolu Health Center, Liv Hospital, and Yeditepe University. He undertook administrative duties such as Board Membership in the Turkish Surgical Association. In 2012, he was awarded the title of “Honorary Fellow,” an international recognition, by the European Surgical Association Qualification Board. His surgical practice mainly focuses on minimally invasive methods (advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgery techniques), stomach, colon and rectum surgery, as well as specific fields such as thyroid, endocrine system diseases, and breast surgery. He performs a wide range of surgical procedures in these fields.

Address: Bağdat Caddesi No:81/A Floor 2 No 4 Feneryolu -Kadıköy Istanbul

Prof. Dr. Hasan Altun

Prof. Dr. Hasan Altun completed his medical education at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine in 1996. He completed his general surgery specialist training in 2002, again at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine. After his specialist training, he worked at various state hospitals in Ankara and Istanbul and took part in organ transplant teams during this period. In the later stages of his career, he participated in special training programs focused on advanced laparoscopic surgery in France and the United States in order to enhance his surgical competencies. After returning to Turkey, he undertook an important administrative role as the Educational and Administrative Responsible of the General Surgery Clinic (chief of clinic) at Istanbul Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital. In 2015, he became the first physician in Turkey to receive the internationally valid “Bariatric Surgeon of Excellence Certificate” in the field of obesity and metabolic surgery. His surgical practice is mainly concentrated on obesity and metabolic surgery (procedures such as gastric sleeve and gastric bypass), advanced laparoscopic surgery, and robotic surgery applications.

Address: Acıbadem Mh. Çeçen Sk, Akasya Avm Kent Etabı B1 Block Floor: 1 Flat: 10, 34660 Üsküdar/İstanbul

Prof. Dr. Oktar Asoğlu

Prof. Dr. Oktar Asoğlu completed his medical education at Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine in 1990. He received his general surgery specialization in 1996 at Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine (Çapa). He continued his academic career at Istanbul Faculty of Medicine and received the titles of associate professor in 2005 and professor in 2010. In his career journey, an important place is held by his service as a ‘fellow’ (advanced post-specialty training) at Mayo Clinic (2003) and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (2004), which are among the world’s leading cancer centers in the United States in his field. These international experiences deeply shaped his surgical approach. In 2015, he was certified by the international independent auditing organization Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) with the titles of “Surgeon of Excellence” in both colorectal surgery and robotic surgery. His surgical practice and field of expertise have focused on the surgical treatment of digestive system cancers, especially colorectal and stomach cancers, with modern minimally invasive methods such as laparoscopic and robotic surgery techniques.

Address: Vişnezade Mahallesi Acısu Sokak Salihbey Apt. No:16 D:5, 34357 Beşiktaş/İstanbul

Prof. Dr. Dursun Buğra

Prof. Dr. Dursun Buğra completed his middle and high school education at Galatasaray High School, then graduated from Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine in 1979. He received his general surgery specialist training between 1979 and 1983 at Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine (Çapa). He had a long academic career at Istanbul Faculty of Medicine between 1987 and 2011, receiving the title of associate professor in 1989 and professor in 1996. During this period, he also carried out surgical studies at Nancy University Faculty of Medicine in France between 1989 and 1990. Since 2011, he has been continuing his academic studies at Koç University Faculty of Medicine. At the same time, he has been working at American Hospital since 2010, where he still continues in the position of Head of the General Surgery Department. Throughout his career, he has undertaken important national and international leadership roles such as presidency in the Turkish Society of Colon and Rectum Surgery and Turkey representation in the European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP). His clinical interests cover a wide range of digestive system surgery, oncological surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and robotic surgery procedures.

Address: Teşvikiye, Güzelbahçe Sk. No:20, 34365 Nişantaşı/İstanbul

Prof. Dr. Ayhan Dinçkan

Prof. Dr. Ayhan Dinçkan completed his medical education at Trakya University Faculty of Medicine in 1995. He received his general surgery specialist training in 2004 at Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine. He spent a large part of his career at Akdeniz University, one of Turkey’s pioneering centers in the field of organ transplantation. Advancing through academic ranks at the same institution, he received the titles of Assistant Professor in 2007, Associate Professor in 2009, and Professor in 2014. In 2011, he was appointed director of the Akdeniz University Organ Transplant Center and Institute. During his tenure, medically significant and historic operations such as Turkey’s first face, double arm, and uterus transplants were successfully performed at the center. These operations opened a new era in the field of medicine in Turkey. Prof. Dr. Dinçkan currently continues his duty as the Head of the Organ Transplant Center at İstinye University Bahçeşehir Liv Hospital. His areas of expertise are multiorgan transplantation covering more than one organ (kidney, liver, pancreas transplants) and hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery, which is closely related to this field.

Address: Esenkent Mah, Süleyman Demirel Cad, Esenyurt / İstanbul

Prof. Dr. Münci Kalayoğlu

(Note: Prof. Dr. Münci Kalayoğlu passed away on November 17, 2024. This profile has been prepared to commemorate his pioneering contributions to organ transplant surgery in Turkey and in the world.)

Prof. Dr. Münci Kalayoğlu graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Medicine in 1963. He completed his general surgery residency at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine. The turning point of his career was the advanced training he received in the USA at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital. After becoming a professor at Hacettepe in 1977, he received an invitation from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the USA in 1983. There, he founded the organ transplant department and turned this center into a world-renowned center. He made very important scientific contributions to the development of the fluid known as the “Wisconsin solution,” which allows the liver to be preserved outside the body for a longer period. He returned to Turkey in 2006 and led organ transplant programs at Memorial Hospital and then Koç University Hospital. Koç University Organ Transplant Center bears the name “Prof. Dr. Münci Kalayoğlu Organ Transplant Center” in his memory. His field was organ transplantation, especially liver transplantation, as well as pediatric surgery.

Prof. Dr. Oğuzhan Karatepe

Prof. Dr. Oğuzhan Karatepe graduated from Istanbul University Çapa Faculty of Medicine in 1999. He completed his general surgery specialization in 2004 at Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital. He continued his post-specialty education at Istanbul Faculty of Medicine in the field of Peripheral Vascular Surgery as a ‘fellow’ (subspecialty training). In order to gain international experience, he was a ‘fellow’ in the field of Hepatobiliary Pancreas Surgery (HPB) at Erasmus University in the Netherlands between 2011 and 2012. This training increased his competence in complex surgical procedures. Throughout his academic and clinical career, he held important positions at various respected institutions such as Bezmialem Vakıf University, Memorial Şişli Hospital, and Yeniyüzyıl University. His work has focused on advanced gastrointestinal system surgery and oncological surgery. He works especially in the fields of pancreas, liver, stomach, and intestinal surgery. Complex surgical procedures such as the Whipple operation, which is performed for pancreatic cancer and is technically challenging, fall within his special area of interest.

Address: Teşvikiye, Sezai Selek Sk. Kılıç Apt A Block No:24 Floor:4, D:14, 34365 Şişli/İstanbul

Prof. Dr. Serkan Teksöz

Prof. Dr. Serkan Teksöz completed his medical education at Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine in 2003. He completed his general surgery specialist training in 2008, again at the same institution, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine. After completing his compulsory service at Istanbul Başakşehir State Hospital, he decided to continue his academic career at Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine. At this long-established institution, he became Chief Assistant in 2010, Associate Professor in 2014, and then rose to professor. An important international achievement in his career was obtaining the title of “Fellow of European Board of Endocrine Surgeons” by passing the European Endocrine Surgery Board exam held in England in 2014. This title is considered an important indicator of his international competence and compliance with standards in the field of endocrine surgery. His surgical practice has been completely focused on the field of endocrine surgery, separating from other areas of general surgery. He works intensively on the surgical treatment of thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal gland diseases and performs procedures in this field.

Address: Cerrahpaşa, Koca Mustafapaşa Cd. No:53, 34098 Fatih/İstanbul

Prof. Dr. Yusuf Yıldırım

Prof. Dr. Yusuf Yıldırım graduated from Ege University Faculty of Medicine in 1997. His career has been shaped by rare and successive multiple specialty trainings in the field of medicine. In his academic journey, he received specialist certificates respectively in General Surgery (2001), Obstetrics and Gynecology (2004), Gynecological Oncology Surgery (2011), and finally Surgical Oncology (2012). This multidisciplinary educational background gave him the ability for a holistic surgical approach in both gynecological cancers and cancers within the scope of general surgery. Having both “Gynecological Oncology Surgery” and “(General) Surgical Oncology” specializations at the same time in Turkey places him in a special position especially in the surgical treatment of complex and advanced-stage cancer cases in the abdominal and pelvic regions. His surgical practice is concentrated at the intersection point of these two oncology disciplines.

Address: Anadolu Cad., No: 40, Tepekule Congress and Business Center Chamber of Mechanical Engineers Building) Floor: 7, Flat: 701, Salhane, 35530 Bayraklı/İzmir