Bilge Şentürk Çataloğlu, MD

Bilge Şentürk Çataloğlu, MD is an anesthesiologist in the Anesthesiology & Reanimation unit at Acibadem Altunizade Hospital in İstanbul. Her clinical work covers anesthesiology, reanimation and perioperative anesthesia care, supporting patients before, during and after surgical procedures. She has more than 23 years in medicine.

Dr. Çataloğlu studied at İstanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, completing her medical education in 2006. During this period she also undertook clinical placements abroad: an internal medicine internship at Hospital Sao Joao in Porto, Portugal, in 2003, and a plastic surgery internship at CHU Henri Mondor in Paris, France, in 2006. She completed her specialty training in Anesthesiology and Reanimation at Marmara University Faculty of Medicine in 2011. Her professional experience includes Marmara University Faculty of Medicine Hospital (2006–2010), Ministry of Health Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital (2010–2011) and Ministry of Health Saray State Hospital (2012). She has worked with Acıbadem Healthcare Services since 2015.

Clinical focus

Dr. Çataloğlu’s areas of expertise are anesthesiology, reanimation and perioperative anesthesia care. As an anesthesiologist, her role is centered on the patient’s safety and comfort around a surgical procedure. This begins before surgery, when the patient’s medical history, current medications and existing test results are reviewed so that the anesthesia plan can be adapted to the individual. It continues in the operating room, where the anesthesiologist administers anesthesia and monitors the patient throughout the procedure, and extends into the recovery period after surgery.

Reanimation refers to the care of patients whose vital functions need close monitoring and support, and it forms part of the same unit in which Dr. Çataloğlu practises. For international patients, this means that anesthesia care is coordinated with the surgical team around the planned procedure and the patient’s individual clinical needs. The specific anesthesia approach is decided case by case, taking into account the type of surgery and the patient’s overall health, and is discussed with the patient beforehand.

How Dr. Çataloğlu works with international patients

Dr. Çataloğlu speaks Turkish and English, and interpreters can be arranged for patients who speak other languages. The international patient team coordinates the collection of prior reports and imaging, including MRI, CT, X-ray or ultrasound reports, laboratory and pathology results, operative notes and discharge summaries, and arranges appointments and the hospital visit. For a patient scheduled for surgery, the anesthesia consultation typically covers the patient’s history and symptoms, current medications and allergies, previous anesthesia experiences, a review of existing imaging and test results, a clinical examination and a discussion of the anesthesia options relevant to the planned procedure. Video consultation is available for international patients, which may allow an initial review of the medical background before travel, although a physical examination before surgery still takes place at the hospital.