Professional Experience
Dr. Eker has held roles in major Turkish medical institutions and continues to provide advanced anesthesia care at a premier private hospital.
- Current: Specialist in Anesthesiology & Reanimation at Memorial Bodrum Hospital, Bodrum, Turkey
- Previous: Specialist roles at Dr. Siyami Ersek Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery Hospital, Istanbul, and other tertiary centres
- Experience in managing anesthesia for cardiac surgery, transplantation, and complex cases requiring multidisciplinary coordination
Academic Contributions
In addition to clinical duties, Dr. Eker is active in academic and educational endeavors.
- Part-time Instructor (PhD) in Perfusion Techniques, Üsküdar University, Istanbul
- Lectures and training: topics include ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), intensive care in transplantation and organ procurement
- Mentorship of trainees and involvement in national congress presentations on anesthesia and intensive care topics
Areas of Expertise
Dr. Eker offers advanced clinical care across a spectrum of anesthesia and intensive care services. Patient-centric descriptions are provided to illustrate what she treats.
- Anesthesia for high-risk surgeries (cardiac, thoracic, transplantation) – ensuring patient safety and optimal outcomes
- Regional anesthesia with ultrasound guidance – offering reduced pain and quicker recovery after surgery
- Intensive care and perioperative monitoring – managing patients before, during and after surgery in the critical care environment
- Management of complicated airways and difficult anesthesia cases – supporting patients with challenging anatomy or comorbidities
Publications and Research
Dr. Eker has contributed to peer-reviewed studies in anesthesia and intensive care. Some representative works are listed below.
Her publications include:
- “The efficacy of transversus abdominis plane block for postoperative analgesia in laparoscopic cholecystectomy cases” (2020) – a retrospective evaluation of 515 patients looking at pain relief methods after minimally invasive surgery.
- “Anesthesia Preferences of Operating Room Staffs in Turkey” (2020) – a study examining which anesthesia methods are preferred by operating room personnel.
- “Complications associated with carotid body tumor excision” (2018) – an investigation into outcomes and complications following surgery for carotid body tumors.
Patient Care Philosophy
Dr. Eker’s approach centres on safety, communication, and informed patient participation.
- She emphasises clear information sharing: explaining the anesthesia plan, risks and recovery process in understandable terms.
- She places patient comfort and reassurance at the core of perioperative care, aiming to reduce anxiety and improve experience.
- For international patients, she supports coordination of care and works with a hospital experienced in treating global patients.
- She values teamwork and cross-disciplinary coordination to ensure seamless care from preoperative assessment through post-operative monitoring.
Professional Affiliations
Dr. Eker is affiliated with national and international professional organisations and holds appropriate certifications.
- Member of the Turkish Society of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation
- Licensed to practise Anesthesiology & Reanimation in Turkey – board specialist status achieved in 2011
- Active in professional workshops and national congresses in her field
FAQs
- Is Dr. Esra Eker board-certified?
- Yes. She completed her specialty training in Anesthesiology & Reanimation in 2011, giving her board-certified status in Turkey.
- What types of surgeries does she cover?
- Her scope includes anesthesia for cardiac, thoracic and transplantation surgeries, as well as ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia for general and minimally invasive procedures.
- Does she treat international patients?
- Yes. She practices at Memorial Bodrum Hospital, which serves both domestic and international patients and supports multilingual coordination.
- What languages does she speak?
- Turkish is her primary language; English language support is available at her hospital for international patients.
- How long is the typical hospital stay?
- The duration depends on the surgical procedure and patient condition. For lower-risk procedures with regional anesthesia, hospital stay may be shorter; for complex surgeries such as transplantation or cardiac cases, stay may span several days to a week or more.
- How can I book a consultation with her?
- You can schedule through the hospital’s international patient coordination department or use the online booking function at the hospital’s website to request an appointment with Dr. Eker.
