Major Surgeries in Turkey (Istanbul) | Meral Clinic

Turkey, and especially Istanbul, has become one of the world’s leading destinations for major and complex surgeries. Thanks to advanced medical infrastructure, internationally accredited hospitals, and highly skilled surgeons, Turkey is now a global hub not only for cosmetic procedures but also for organ transplantation, cardiac surgeries, and oncology treatments.

In this article, we highlight the most in-demand major surgeries in Turkey, ranked from the most common to the least frequent.

1. Blood Transfusion

🔴 Blood transfusion is one of the most common medical interventions, performed in hundreds of thousands of cases each year. It supports major surgeries, cancer treatments, emergencies, and trauma care. The Turkish Red Crescent operates one of the strongest blood bank systems in the region.

2. Open-Heart Surgery

❤️ Turkey is a regional leader in open-heart surgeries, including coronary artery bypass (CABG) and valve replacements. Istanbul hosts specialized centers such as Kartal Koşuyolu and Acıbadem.

3. Oncologic Surgeries

🎗️ Cancer-related surgeries are among the most requested, including breast, colon, liver, and gastric tumor removals. Turkey provides a comprehensive treatment approach (surgery + chemotherapy + radiotherapy) at much lower costs compared to Europe and the US.

4. Kidney Transplant

🟢 With more than 3,000 cases annually, kidney transplantation is one of the most common organ transplants in Turkey, often from living donors, with success rates matching global standards.

5. Liver Transplant

🟡 Turkey is among the world leaders in liver transplantation, especially from living donors. Around 1,500–2,000 procedures are performed annually, mainly in Istanbul and Ankara.

6. Bone Marrow / Stem Cell Transplant

🧬 Essential for treating blood disorders such as leukemia, with hundreds of procedures performed annually. Turkey has advanced donor networks and modern bone marrow banks.

7. Neurosurgery

🧠 Includes brain tumor removal, aneurysm repair, and spinal surgeries. Istanbul is home to world-class neurosurgeons and specialized centers.

8. Major Trauma Surgeries

🚑 Thousands of emergency surgeries are performed every year due to accidents and critical injuries, such as splenectomy and internal bleeding treatments.

9. Heart Transplant

💙 Although rare, dozens of heart transplants are successfully performed each year. Limited by donor availability, but Turkey has achieved remarkable success in this field.

10. Lung Transplant

🌬️ Among the rarest procedures, with fewer than 50 cases per year, performed only in select advanced centers.

🌟 Why Choose Turkey for Major Surgeries?

• Internationally accredited hospitals (JCI).

• Surgeons with European and American experience.

• Costs up to 50–70% lower than Western countries.

• Full support for international patients (translation, accommodation, follow-up).

✨ Meral Clinic | Your Partner in Healing

At Meral Clinic, we provide:
✔️ Coordination with top hospitals.
✔️ Tailored treatment plans for major surgeries.
✔️ Pre- and post-operative follow-up.
✔️ Full logistical support (transport – accommodation – translator).

📞 Book your medical consultation today at: meral.clinic