Patient Experience
A 17-year-old competitive e-sports athlete presented with debilitating Raynaud's phenomenon in both hands, threatening his professional gaming career. Dr. Ökten discovered a rare thoracic outlet syndrome variant compressing both subclavian arteries during specific arm positions used in gaming. He performed a bilateral first rib resection via transaxillary approach. The patient returned to professional competition within 8 weeks with customized hand-warming protocols.
An 84-year-old retired ship captain from a remote Black Sea village arrived with a pulsatile abdominal mass he'd hidden for years due to maritime superstitions. Dr. Ökten diagnosed a 9cm inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm adherent to duodenum. He performed open repair with aortic tube graft and duodenal separation. The patient's recovery was complicated by delirium tremens from secretive raki consumption, requiring multidisciplinary management before returning to his village.
A 32-year-old vegan ultramarathon runner developed exercise-induced compartment syndrome in all four limbs during a 100-mile race. Dr. Ökten performed emergent four-compartment fasciotomies in both legs, followed weeks later by selective fasciectomies. The patient adapted her training with custom compression wear designed with Dr. Ökten and completed another ultramarathon 9 months post-op.
A 45-year-old professional glassblower presented with progressive hand ischemia affecting his dominant thumb and index finger. Angiography revealed a rare hypothenar hammer syndrome with ulnar artery aneurysm and digital embolization. Dr. Ökten performed microsurgical resection with interposition vein graft, preserving fine motor function essential for his centuries-old family craft.