Two top doctors from abroad - specialists in IVF and aesthetic and reconstructive surgery - will consult patients in Varna for free on 21 and 22 April. They will be visiting Bulgaria at the invitation of the Health Information Center "Medical Karadj", as part of their initiative to provide Bulgarian patients with access to the most advanced methods in medicine, partnering with some of the best medical institutions and specialists from around the world.
In vitro with microchip for higher success rates
Prof. Dr. Cem Ficidjiolu has extensive international experience in the USA, UK and Belgium, has authored over 200 scientific papers and presentations, and since 2005 has been the Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Yeditepe University and Director of the In Vitro Center. He implements an in vitro fertilization method using innovative microchip technology. The method is applied in cases with male factor infertility and has led to a marked increase in cases in which pregnancy is achieved.
Almost half of the cases of problem pregnancy are due to male factor. This means that the possibilities of conceiving naturally are limited due to reduced sperm count or reduced sperm motility. In these cases, microfluidic chip technology is applied to help select the healthiest and most viable sperm.
"These chips are etched with tiny grooves or strips. When two strips fuse, the energetic sperm swim away, while the weaker or damaged ones are collected separately. The selected sperm are then used by microinjection," describes the method Prof Dr Jem Ficigiolu. This ensures the creation of higher quality embryos and a higher chance of pregnancy.
The innovative technique has been developed very recently and is currently introduced in only a few leading IVF clinics in the world, including Yeditepe University Hospital in neighbouring Turkey. The hospital reports that the application of the method leads to an increase in the success rate of in vitro fertilization, and Prof.. Mr Ficigiuolu described it as "a significant breakthrough in the treatment of male infertility".
Reconstructions with own tissue for defects and deformities
Modern techniques in plastic surgery allow much more than stretching wrinkles and correcting aesthetic defects. Women with breast cancer can now rely on reconstruction after mastectomy, and with results very close to the natural appearance. It is also possible to reconstruct tissue, bone and cartilage lost due to trauma or a removed tumor. Congenital or acquired facial malformations are removed; tissues affected by burning are reconstructed, and with microsurgical techniques it is even possible to graft back amputated limbs.
This difficult side of aesthetic surgery is handled by Dr. Ugur Bingöl, Ph. Having specialized in the USA and gained over 15 years of experience in reconstructive techniques for children and adults, Dr. Bingöl currently works at the Center for Aesthetic, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Yeditepe University Hospital in Turkey. One of the techniques he uses is a type of autologous transplantation - transferring tissue from one part of the body to another in order to correct a defect. The tissue that is transferred can be skin and fat, muscle, nerves, bone, cartilage, lymph nodes. A toe can even be "transferred" from the foot and grafted onto the hand to restore a lost thumb.
Patients from Bulgaria, who are interested in the methods of Prof. Dr. Cem Ficidjiolu and Prof. Dr. Ugur Bingol, can consult them free of charge in Varna on 21 and 22 April. Pre-registration is required by calling "Medical Karaj": 0879 977 401 or 0879 977 402.
