Başkent Konya Saves the Life of an Iraqi Infant Through Complex Heart Surgery

• 11 Dec

Başkent Konya Hospital Saves the Life of an Iraqi Infant Through Complex Heart Surgery

The medical team at Başkent Konya Hospital successfully saved the life of baby Dhanon, urgently transferred from Kirkuk, Iraq, after being diagnosed with a rare and severe congenital heart defect known as Pulmonary Atresia, with severely underdeveloped left heart structures and absence of the main pulmonary artery.
A specialized Turkish team, including   Dr. Mehmet Tekin, an ICU nurse, and a medical assistant, was dispatched with a fully equipped ambulance to the Habur Border Gate. The critical medical transport covered over 1500 kilometers and lasted approximately 24 hours.
Upon arrival, Dhanon underwent a full medical evaluation under the supervision of the International Patient Department Director  Dr.Ömer Ali Kerküklü and Pediatric Cardiologist  Dr.Mahmut Gökdemir. An emergency angiography was performed, followed by a complex open heart surgery led by  Dr. Mahmut Gökdemir and Cardiovascular Surgery Specialist  Dr. Mehmet Çelik, during which an artificial artery was placed to restore pulmonary blood flow.
After 11 days of intensive care, the baby’s condition stabilized and he was successfully discharged. Further surgeries are planned according to the standard protocol for such cases: the first surgery during the neonatal period (already completed), the second at one year of age, and the third at approximately four years old.
Such complex surgeries are among the most advanced globally and are performed only at a limited number of specialized centers, with Başkent Konya Hospital proudly among them.