Erkan Yildirim

Prof. Dr. Erkan Yıldırım is a thoracic surgeon at Hisar Hospital Intercontinental. He authored Turkey’s first overseas clinical publication on lung transplantation. He has been a Fellow of the European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgeons since 2002. Also, he holds four biomedical engineering patents and treats chest disorders.

Specialization and Surgical Focus

Dr. Yıldırım treats lung cancer, mediastinal masses, and chest wall tumors. He also treats esophageal cancer, malignant pleural effusion, and mesothelioma. The surgeon performs surgeries for benign lung diseases including bronchiectasis and echinococcal cysts. He further treats empyema inflammatory diseases and puncture wound injuries.

The surgeon uses the Abramson Bar and NUSS techniques for chest deformities. He also provides 3D implant methods for patients with Poland Syndrome. His practice includes clip-assisted VATS for hyperhidrosis, facial flushing, and Raynaud’s disease. Additionally, he performs blebectomy procedures to remove air blisters from the lung.

Achievements and Clinical Expertise

Dr. Yıldırım completed a fellowship at the Toronto Lung Transplant Program. During this time, he participated in 85 recipient surgeries and nearly 100 organ procurements. The doctor maintains a Turkish Thoracic Surgery Proficiency Certification since 2003. He also pioneered Turkish research on lung volume reduction and transplant techniques.

His current research involves patent studies with Boğaziçi University. He became the first author in Turkey of an overseas clinical study on lung transplantation in 2009. This research focused on lung volume reduction and transplant methods. He also completed four clinical studies during his time in Toronto.

Work Experience

• Thoracic Surgeon – Hisar Hospital Intercontinental, Istanbul, Turkey
• Thoracic Surgery Specialist – Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital (2000–2001)
• Chief Assistant – Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital (2001–2007)
• Medical Officer – Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Thoracic Surgery Clinic (1999)
• Observer Surgeon – University of Zurich, Switzerland (2002)
• Observer Surgeon – University of Toronto, Canada (2004)
• Observer Surgeon – University of Leuven, Belgium (2008)
• Observer Surgeon – Kyoto University, Japan (2012)

Education and Training

• 1992 – Anadolu University Faculty of Medicine – Medical Degree
• 1998 – Siyami Ersek and Atatürk Chest Diseases Centers – Thoracic Surgery Residency
• 2003 – Turkish Thoracic Surgery Proficiency Certification
• 2008 – University of Toronto – Lung Transplantation Fellowship
• 2009 – Associate Professor Title in Thoracic Surgery

Academic Contributions and Recognition

Dr. Yıldırım serves as a reviewer for the European Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery. He also reviews for the Turkish Journal of Thoracic Cardiovascular Surgery. The doctor has presented findings at 37 international and 19 national congresses. He currently holds four active patents in the department of biomedical engineering.

Professional Memberships

• European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgeons (FETCS)
• European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS)