Asst. Prof. Altuğ Özagar, MD

Asst. Prof. Altuğ Özagar, MD is an otorhinolaryngology specialist practising in the Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) unit at Acibadem Atasehir Hospital in İstanbul. His clinical work covers nasal and sinus surgery, septoplasty and septorhinoplasty, tonsil and adenoid surgery, snoring, middle ear surgery, nasal endoscopy, sinusitis, and hearing loss in children.

Dr. Özagar graduated from Galatasaray High School in 1984 and from İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine in 1991. He completed his residency in Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases at the Marmara University ENT Department between 1992 and 1997, working there as a resident physician, and received his specialty qualification from Marmara University Faculty of Medicine in 1997. In the same year he completed a fellowship at Yale University, followed by training at Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital in 1998. He has worked within Acıbadem Healthcare Services since 1998. He is a member of the İstanbul Medical Chamber, the Galatasaray High School Alumni Association and the Galatasaray Sports Club General Assembly Council. His publications include an article in the Kuwait Medical Journal (2001) and a report on neck masses in the Turkish Archives of Otolaryngology (1996).

Clinical focus

A large part of Dr. Özagar’s practice concerns the nose and sinuses. He assesses and treats sinusitis and other nasal and sinus conditions, using nasal endoscopy as part of the diagnostic evaluation where appropriate. Surgical procedures within his expertise include septoplasty for a deviated nasal septum and septorhinoplasty, which combines correction of the septum with reshaping of the external nose; patients considering rhinoplasty may therefore be seen for combined functional and structural assessment. He also evaluates snoring, which may be linked to nasal, palatal or tonsillar factors, and discusses possible approaches following examination.

In children and adults, Dr. Özagar performs tonsil surgery and adenoid surgery, and he assesses hearing loss in children, which can be related to middle ear conditions or other causes. Middle ear surgery is a further area of his surgical practice. Whether surgery is advisable, and which technique is suitable, depends on the individual findings; recommendations are made only after a clinical examination and review of any existing test results.

How Dr. Özagar works with international patients

Dr. Özagar consults in Turkish and English, and interpreters can be arranged for patients who speak other languages. Before a visit, the Acibadem international patient team coordinates the collection of prior reports and imaging, such as CT or MRI reports, audiology and laboratory results, operative notes and discharge summaries, and arranges appointments and the hospital visit. A first consultation typically covers the patient’s history and symptoms, a review of existing imaging and previous treatments, a clinical examination, which for ENT complaints may include nasal endoscopy, and a discussion of the available options. Video consultation is available for international patients who wish to discuss their situation or have their documents reviewed before travelling, although a final treatment plan generally depends on an in-person examination.