Prof. Dr. V. Melih Kara

Prof. Dr. V. Melih Kara is a general surgeon at Acibadem Dr. Sinasi Can (Kadikoy) Hospital in İstanbul, where he practices within the General Surgery unit. His work covers the treatment of pancreas, liver and biliary tract diseases, digestive system diseases and surgery, robotic surgery, the treatment of hemorrhoids and anorectal diseases, and endocrine surgery. He has more than 29 years in medicine and speaks Turkish and English.

Dr. Kara graduated from İstanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine in 1997 and completed his General Surgery training at Haydarpaşa Numune Training and Research Hospital in 2003. He then worked as a General Surgery Specialist in the I. General Surgery Clinic and Transplantation Unit of that hospital and became Associate Professor of General Surgery there in 2012. In 2004–2005 he served as a Medical Second Lieutenant at Gölcük Military Hospital. Between 2006 and 2007 he held a temporary assignment as Chief Assistant at the İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Unit, and in 2007–2008 he was an observer at the Cleveland Clinic General Surgery and Transplantation Center. From 2015 onward he served as Transplantation (Kidney) supervisor at Haydarpaşa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Health Sciences University Haydarpaşa Numune Hospital, Başakşehir Çam ve Sakura City Hospital and, in 2021, Maltepe University Faculty of Medicine Hospital. He is a member of the National Surgery Association, the Turkish Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Association and the Emergency Trauma Association. His published work includes papers on delayed graft function in deceased donor kidney transplantation, cancer screening of renal transplant patients on long-term immunosuppressive therapy, ultrasound-assisted internal jugular vein catheterization, and nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate implant-based breast reconstruction.

Clinical focus

Dr. Kara’s clinical work centers on oncological surgery and surgery of the digestive system. He treats pancreatic, liver and biliary tract diseases, including cholecystitis and gallbladder and bile duct cancers, and performs oesophageal surgery, reflux surgery and colorectal surgery. His anorectal practice includes the treatment of hemorrhoids and rectal prolapse.

He also performs breast cancer surgery and thyroid surgery as part of his oncological and endocrine surgical practice. Where appropriate to the individual case, Dr. Kara uses robotic surgical techniques. The choice of approach is made after evaluation of the patient’s condition, prior imaging and previous treatments, and is discussed with the patient before any decision.

How Dr. Kara works with international patients

Dr. Kara 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 medical reports and imaging, arranges appointments and organises 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 and a discussion of the available options. Video consultation is available for international patients who wish to discuss their situation with Dr. Kara before deciding whether to travel for further evaluation or treatment.