Prof. Ayça Özbal Koç, MD

Prof. Ayça Özbal Koç, MD is an otorhinolaryngology specialist at Acibadem Atasehir Hospital in İstanbul, where she works in the Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) unit. She has more than 24 years in medicine and sees adult and pediatric ear, nose and throat concerns, with a particular emphasis on tonsil and adenoid conditions, snoring, nasal and sinus surgery, prominent ear correction, and vertigo and balance disorders.

Dr. Koç graduated from İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine in 2002. She completed her specialty training in Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases at Şişli Etfal Training and Research Hospital in 2008. She has been part of Acıbadem Healthcare Services since 2021 and holds the academic title of professor.

Clinical focus

Dr. Koç’s surgical practice covers tonsil surgery and the assessment and treatment of adenoid conditions, which are common reasons for ENT referral in children and can also affect adults. She evaluates patients with snoring to identify possible contributing factors in the nose, palate and throat and to discuss suitable options. Her nasal work includes nasal surgery for structural and functional problems, and sinus surgery for patients with sinus disease that has not responded adequately to other measures. She also performs prominent ear correction, a procedure that reshapes and repositions ears that protrude from the head.

A further area of her practice is the assessment of vertigo and balance disorders. Because dizziness can arise from the inner ear as well as from other causes, Dr. Koç’s approach centers on a careful history, a clinical examination and, where appropriate, further testing before treatment options are discussed. The aim is to clarify the likely source of symptoms and to plan care that is proportionate to the findings.

How Dr. Koç works with international patients

Dr. Koç consults in Turkish and English, and interpreters can be arranged for patients who speak other languages. Before a visit, the international patient team coordinates the collection of prior reports and imaging, such as MRI, CT, X-ray or ultrasound reports, laboratory and pathology results, operative notes and discharge summaries, and arranges appointments and the hospital visit itself. A first consultation typically covers the patient’s history and symptoms, a review of existing imaging and previous treatments, a clinical examination and a discussion of the available options. Video consultation is available for international patients who would like an initial discussion of their case before deciding whether to travel; any recommendation made remotely is provisional and depends on an in-person examination and, where needed, further tests.