Thyroid Surgery in Istanbul
Istanbul Thyroid Surgery — Prof. Dr. Ahmet Özdoğan
Academic head & neck surgery professor in Istanbul Şişli. Total thyroidectomy, lobectomy, neck dissection — recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring and parathyroid preservation as standard. 30+ years of experience.
How do I choose the right surgeon for thyroid surgery in Istanbul?
Prof. Dr. Hasan Ahmet Özdoğan is an academic head & neck surgery professor in Istanbul Şişli performing total thyroidectomy, lobectomy, neck dissection and thyroid cancer surgery. Cases use intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring (voice preservation), parathyroid identification and preservation, and integrated multidisciplinary tumour board review as standard. PubMed-indexed publications, EAONO/EHNS/TKBBV memberships, 30+ years of clinical experience. Tele-consult + 8-language international-patient protocol are available.
Why thyroid surgery in Istanbul?
Istanbul is Türkiye's centre of gravity for thyroid surgery — high-volume experience, advanced imaging and cytopathology infrastructure. JCI-accredited private hospitals around Şişli can run neck ultrasound, fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), cytopathology, surgery and post-op endocrinology consultation through a same-day corridor.
Thyroid surgery has two critical complications: recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (hoarseness / permanent dysphonia) and parathyroid injury (permanent hypocalcaemia). With an academic surgeon plus intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) and experienced parathyroid identification, complication rates drop to high-volume-centre levels.
Thyroid cancer management is not surgery alone — it requires multidisciplinary tumour-board integration (endocrinology, pathology, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology). Prof. Dr. Ahmet Özdoğan's academic ties make these case discussions standard; for papillary, follicular and medullary carcinomas the post-op radioiodine plan is finalised early.
For international thyroid patients, Istanbul is logistically convenient: 3-4-hour direct flights from Europe, 4-5 hours from the Gulf; visa-free up to 90 days; short recovery (1-2 days hospital, 3-5 days post-op). 8-language pathology report translation + clinical summary to your local endocrinologist provided.
Main thyroid surgery procedures performed at the clinic
Total thyroidectomy
Removal of the entire thyroid gland — for cancer, large goitre, bilateral nodular disease.
Lobectomy (hemi-thyroidectomy)
Removal of one thyroid lobe — limited unilateral nodule or low-risk microcarcinoma.
Neck dissection (central / lateral)
Lymph node dissection required for thyroid cancer staging (Level VI / Levels II–V).
Completion thyroidectomy
Second-stage completion when post-lobectomy pathology returns malignant.
Substernal goitre surgery
Large goitre extending into the chest — usually cervical approach, rarely sternotomy.
Parathyroid surgery
Primary/secondary hyperparathyroidism — adenoma resection, fine dissection, intraoperative PTH measurement.
Revision thyroid cancer surgery
Residual or recurrent disease after previous surgery — neck anatomy mapping and high-volume experience required.
Patient profiles frequently seeking thyroid surgery in Istanbul
- Patients with a suspicious thyroid biopsy (Bethesda IV–VI)
- Patients with large goitre causing swallowing or breathing difficulty seeking a surgical decision
- Patients with persistent voice problems or recurrence concerns after a previous thyroid surgery
- Patients with a thyroid cancer diagnosis seeking a multidisciplinary high-volume centre
- International patients from Germany, Gulf, Russia, UK seeking an academic-referral thyroid surgeon
Trust signals
- Clinical experience
- 30+ years
- Language support
- 8 languages
- Academic rank
- Full Professor
- Patient rating
- 4.8 / 5
- Location
- Şişli, Istanbul
Şişli, İstanbul · Prof. Dr. Hasan Ahmet Özdoğan
Istanbul thyroid surgery — frequently asked questions
How many days will I stay in hospital after thyroid surgery?
Typically 1 night. If post-op calcium monitoring is normal, discharge within 24 hours. After total thyroidectomy, 1-2 weeks of wound protection and a post-op endocrinology consultation are advised.
What is the risk of voice problems?
In centres using intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) the permanent hoarseness rate is below 1%. Temporary voice changes may occur in 3-5% of cases and usually resolve within 4-12 weeks.
When can I return to work?
Office work: 5-7 days; physical work: 2-3 weeks. Swallowing comfort returns within 3-5 days; the scar fades over 4-6 weeks.
Do I need additional treatment for thyroid cancer?
It depends on pathology. Low-risk papillary carcinoma is often managed with surgery alone; intermediate/high-risk disease may receive post-op radioiodine (RAI). Plans are confirmed in multidisciplinary tumour board review.
What is the process for international patients?
Tele-consult → existing imaging/biopsy re-reviewed in Istanbul → written plan → travel → surgery (1 hospital night) → 3-5 days hotel follow-up → safe return → video reviews at months 1, 3, 6, 12 + report sent to your local endocrinologist.
Book a thyroid-surgery consultation in Istanbul
Fast WhatsApp response; international patients begin with a tele-consult + multidisciplinary written plan.
hairaestheticclinic.co.uk · Prof. Dr. Hasan Ahmet Özdoğan