M.D. Rifat Urnal Reviews
Patient Experience
As a professional rock climber, my fall in Antalya resulted in a complex pelvic fracture that local hospitals couldn't manage. Medevaced to Istanbul, Dr. Urnal's trauma team was waiting. He performed a groundbreaking external fixation procedure that preserved my mobility. Six months later, I'm back on moderate climbs - something three other surgeons said would be impossible.
My 4-year-old daughter swallowed multiple rare-earth magnets while visiting from Germany. Dr. Urnal recognized the unique danger immediately - not just intestinal blockage but magnetic necrosis. His emergency team performed a delicate laparoscopic retrieval I've since learned is rarely attempted in pediatric cases. His calm explanation in both Turkish and English saved us from panic.
During the Istanbul marathon, I collapsed at kilometer 35 with exertional heat stroke and rhabdomyolysis. Dr. Urnal's innovative rapid cooling protocol using cold thoracic lavage dropped my core temperature from 41.9°C to 38°C in 18 minutes. Neurologists confirmed this prevented the brain damage typically seen with such prolonged hyperthermia.
My husband, a retired ship engineer, suffered a bizarre industrial chemical burn when an antique fire extinguisher exploded. Most ER doctors treated it as thermal burns. Dr. Urnal identified the specific chemical compound and created a customized chelation irrigation therapy that prevented systemic toxicity and saved his kidneys.
