Op. Hasan Karatas Reviews

A 42-year-old deep-sea fisherman presented with explosive decompression injury to his inner ears after a diving accident. He couldn't balance on his boat. Dr. Karatas developed a custom vestibular rehab program using virtual reality simulations of fishing boat motion. The fisherman returned to work in 3 months with improved safety protocols.

A 35-year-old woman with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome had recurrent spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks through her nose. Multiple repairs had failed. Dr. Karatas used a multilayer repair with tensor fascia lata from her thigh and fibrin glue enriched with her own platelets. He also designed a climate-controlled home environment plan accounting for Antalya's humidity fluctuations.

A 17-year-old competitive freediver from a coastal village presented with recurrent barotrauma and persistent ear fullness. Dr. Karatas discovered a rare congenital defect in her eustachian tube structure exacerbated by deep diving. He performed a minimally invasive endoscopic tuboplasty using a novel bio-absorbable stent he helped develop. The patient returned to competition after 8 weeks, setting a new national depth record.

A 78-year-old retired olive grove keeper with severe hearing loss and dementia was brought by his estranged son. The patient communicated only through whistling bird calls. Dr. Karatas identified advanced otosclerosis but also recognized the whistling as intentional communication. He coordinated with a speech therapist to create a 'bird call hearing aid' interface, allowing the man to hear his son's voice for the first time in 15 years while preserving his unique communication method.

A 32-year-old Syrian refugee seamstress presented with a nasal septal perforation from untreated childhood diphtheria. She couldn't afford conventional treatment. Dr. Karatas pioneered a two-stage reconstruction using processed amniotic membrane from hospital births and cartilage from her own nasal floor, all covered under the hospital's humanitarian fund. She regained normal breathing and now teaches sewing to other refugee women.

A 9-year-old boy from a nomadic Yörük family had a mysterious throat swelling that appeared only during full moons. Traditional healers had failed. Dr. Karatas discovered a rare lunar-triggered angioedema linked to the family's unique genetic heritage. He created a personalized treatment plan using moon phase tracking apps and prophylactic medication, allowing the family to maintain their migratory lifestyle.

A 45-year-old luxury yacht captain developed sudden anosmia after a lightning strike near his vessel. Standard tests showed nothing. Dr. Karatas identified microscopic olfactory nerve damage using specialized electron microscopy. He designed a 'scent rehabilitation' program using Mediterranean herbs and sea air extracts. The captain regained 70% of his smell function and now leads scent-based navigation workshops.

A 60-year-old retired glassblower with advanced laryngeal papillomatosis had failed multiple laser treatments elsewhere. Dr. Karatas employed photodynamic therapy using a specialized light-activated drug derived from local Antalya pomegranates. The treatment required precise timing with the patient's circadian rhythms. After six months, the papillomas completely regressed without vocal cord damage.

A 28-year-old pregnant archaeologist working at Perge ruins developed a fungal sinus infection from ancient tomb dust. Conventional antifungals were contraindicated. Dr. Karatas cultured the specific fungus and collaborated with a pharmacologist to create a topical treatment using olive leaf extract and local propolis. She completed her excavation season and delivered a healthy baby.

A 51-year-old transgender woman from a conservative rural area presented with vocal feminization needs but feared social repercussions. Dr. Karatas performed Wendler glottoplasty but also connected her with a network of supportive patients. He documented her case anonymously for a study on vocal outcomes in Mediterranean climates, helping advance transgender healthcare in the region.

A 6-year-old girl born with Treacher Collins syndrome had undergone multiple failed ear reconstructions. Her family sold their small farm to seek treatment. Dr. Karatas used 3D-printed biodegradable scaffolds seeded with her own rib cartilage cells, grown in a bioreactor. The ears developed vascularization naturally, and the hospital foundation covered 80% of costs.

A 70-year-old retired meze chef lost his sense of taste after COVID-19, threatening his family's recipes. Dr. Karatas discovered not only gustatory nerve damage but zinc deficiency from decades of tasting copper cookware. Treatment included nerve stimulation, zinc replacement, and recreating flavors through trigeminal nerve activation using texture and temperature variations.

A 19-year-old aspiring opera singer from a low-income family had a congenital laryngeal web. Dr. Karatas performed endoscopic laser division but also noticed perfect absolute pitch. He arranged scholarship auditions and designed a vocal rehabilitation program incorporating traditional Turkish makam scales. She now studies at the conservatory.

An 8-year-old Afghan refugee boy swallowed a lithium battery from a donated toy. Emergency removal left tracheal scarring. Dr. Karatas performed balloon dilation but also created an educational picture book about battery safety in Dari and Turkish, distributed through refugee centers. The boy's breathing normalized, and he became a 'safety ambassador' in his community.

A 55-year-old hotel manager with obstructive sleep apnea rejected CPAP due to claustrophobia. Dr. Karatas performed hypoglossal nerve stimulation but also discovered his apnea worsened during tourist season stress. Treatment included a nerve stimulator adjusted seasonally and breathing exercises adapted from traditional Turkish ney flute playing.