Kang Dong Hospital
Kang Dong Hospital
Corea del Sud, Busan
Ahn Tae Hoon, MD, PhD, is a cardiology specialist and Director of the Cardiovascular Center at Naeun Hospital. He has expertise in coronary artery disease (angina, myocardial infarction), hypertension, valvular heart disease, heart failure, and cardiovascular interventional procedures.
He earned his PhD in Medicine from Korea University College of Medicine. He completed an Internal Medicine residency at Korea University Guro Hospital and a Cardiology fellowship at Korea University Hyehwa Hospital. He also completed clinical training at the Montreal Heart Institute.
He previously served as Professor and Director of the Cardiovascular Center at Gachon University Gil Medical Center. He was a Clinical Professor at Korea University Anam Hospital and at Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital. His leadership roles include President of KSIC, KCCC, KVIS, and KSC. He also served as Treasurer of KSC and as Organizing Committee Chair of ENCORE SEOUL.
Yang Young-Joon, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon and Director of the Joint Center. He treats knee and shoulder disorders, sports injuries, foot and ankle problems, carpal tunnel syndrome, and fractures and other trauma. His practice also includes joint replacement, arthroscopic surgery, pediatric orthopedics, hip disorders, hand and foot microsurgery, hand numbness, diabetic foot, hallux valgus, and gout.
He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Catholic Central Medical Center and an orthopedic surgery fellowship at St. Paul’s Hospital at Catholic Central Medical Center. He is a regular member of the Korean Arthroscopy, Knee, and Shoulder Societies and serves as Director of the Orthopedic Center at Naeun Hospital.
Dr. Jang Hyo Kim is an orthopedic surgeon focused on joint preservation and complex reconstruction. He specializes in arthroscopy of the shoulder, knee, ankle, elbow, and wrist. He performs joint replacement of the shoulder, knee, ankle, elbow, and hip. His spine work includes cervical and lumbar instrumentation and fusion. He also performs discectomy, laminectomy, neuroplasty, and vertebroplasty. His practice includes fracture care and muscle and ligament repair.
He is an Adjunct Professor at Kyung Hee University. He serves as Director of the Joint Center at Very Good Hospital. He previously served as chief or director at Yeonggwang General, Songjeong Sarang, Sewoori–Daejeon, Seoul Welfare, and The Barun hospitals. He was an advisory member of the Gwangju–Jeonnam Workers’ Compensation Board. He is a full member of the Korean Orthopaedic Association (KOA) and the Korean Societies of Arthroscopy, Knee, Sports Medicine, Hip, Pain, and Obesity. He holds TPI therapy certification. He completed an Ilizarov fellowship in Kurgan, Russia. He also completed training in shoulder arthroscopy.
Il medico è specializzato in chirurgia ortopedica con un focus su interventi artroscopici al ginocchio e alla spalla, nonché su interventi totali al ginocchio e alla spalla. Inoltre, il medico ha esperienza nel trattamento delle lesioni sportive.
Laureatosi in Medicina presso il Catholic Medical College di Seoul nel 1994, il medico ha completato una residenza nel Dipartimento di Chirurgia Ortopedica presso l'Ospedale del Catholic Medical College di Seoul. Il medico ha ricoperto posizioni significative, tra cui Capo Sezione presso il Centro delle Articolazioni del Sun Hospital, Daejeon, e Direttore presso il TeunTeun Hospital, Jeju.
Il medico è membro di diverse organizzazioni professionali, tra cui la Korean Knee Society, la Korean Orthopedic Association e l'Asia-Pacific Orthopedic Association.
Hand surgery in South Korea is highly safe for international patients due to advanced orthopedic infrastructure. Facilities like Korea University Anam Hospital maintain Joint Commission International accreditation. Specialized surgeons like Dr. Yang Young Joon at Na-Eun Hospital treat complex cases using precise hand microsurgery and arthroscopic techniques.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Patient volume data suggests a significant experience gap between general hospitals and specialized centers. Leadheal Hospital manages over 44,000 patients annually with only 5 doctors. Choosing centers with a higher doctor-to-patient ratio or those focused specifically on joints and spine, such as Kang Dong Hospital, often ensures more dedicated post-operative monitoring for delicate hand procedures.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that while surgical technology is excellent, planning a longer stay is vital. Many recommend staying at least 2 weeks to manage swelling and start rehabilitation before flying home.
Qualified Korean hand surgeons must hold subspecialty board certification from the Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand. They first earn primary board certification in orthopedic or plastic surgery. Top specialists complete intensive one-year or two-year fellowships and maintain membership in the Korean Society for Microsurgery.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While major centers like Asan Medical Center handle the highest patient volumes in Korea, specialized clinics like Nanoori Hospital offer more focused orthopedic care. Data shows that elite surgeons, including Dr. Yang Young Joon at Na-Eun Hospital, often hold multiple subspecialties in hand microsurgery and carpal tunnel treatment. Patients should look for doctors practicing at KOIHA or JCI-accredited facilities to ensure international safety standards are met during complex reconstructions.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize finding surgeons who have trained in the US or Japan for advanced microsurgery skills. They suggest checking hospital websites for 10,000+ documented cases to verify a specialist's technical expertise in hand reconstruction.
South Korea offers specialized hand surgery through facilities like Asan Medical Center, Seoul National University Hospital, and Korea University Anam Hospital. These institutions utilize microsurgery and digitalized patient systems to treat trauma, congenital malformations, and nerve injuries. Most provide dedicated international support for foreign patients.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Quality indicators for hand surgery in Korea often relate to patient volume and specific certifications. Some hospitals, like Leadheal, manage over 44,000 patients annually and accommodate various nationalities. Patients should prioritize facilities with Joint Commission International (JCI) or KOIHA accreditation to ensure international safety standards.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is vital to confirm a surgeon's specific case volume for microsurgery through photos. Professional translation is often required to ensure clear communication regarding rehabilitation and follow-up care.
Patients should plan to stay in South Korea for 7 to 14 days after hand surgery. Minor soft tissue procedures may allow travel after 5 days. Complex bone stabilization often requires a full 2-week stay. This window ensures wound stability and safe stitch removal.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While leading centers like Asan Medical Center and Korea University Anam Hospital treat thousands of complex cases, recovery logistics often depend on clinic specialization. For example, Nanoori Hospital is government-certified for spinal and joint expertise, catering specifically to orthopedic recovery. Choosing a facility with dedicated rehabilitation units can reduce the need for extended hotel stays by providing intensive early-phase therapy.
Patient Consensus: Patients highlight that Korean clinics are very strict about the `fit to fly` certificate. They recommend arranging airport assistance in advance since any heavy lifting is prohibited during the flight home.
Hand surgery packages in South Korea typically bundle the surgeon fees, facility use, and anesthesia. These comprehensive arrangements often include pre-operative screenings and localized post-operative care within JCI-accredited hospitals. Patients receive coordinate support for logistics like English-speaking assistance and basic recovery monitoring during their stay.
Bookimed Expert Insight: South Korea's high-volume orthopedic centers, such as Nanoori Hospital which treats 58,000 patients annually, often specialize in microsurgery for hand numbness. Data shows that specialized `Joint Centers` in larger multidisciplinary hospitals typically offer more robust rehabilitation equipment than smaller private clinics. If undergoing a complex nerve or tendon repair, selecting a facility with dedicated orthopedic rehabilitation departments may improve functional outcomes.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the need to request an itemized list in English to verify if medications and hand therapy sessions are included. Most suggest budgeting extra for additional physical therapy or specialized braces which are frequently billed as out-of-pocket expenses.
Korean hand surgery scars are typically very minor and often unnoticeable after eighteen months of healing. Specialized clinics use microscopic suturing and plastic closure techniques. These methods hide incisions within natural skin folds. Surgeons aim to minimize tension to prevent widening or raised tissue.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Korea University Anam Hospital pioneered robotic techniques that reduce scar size to one-tenth of traditional methods. While mostly known for major reconstructions, this precision mindset influences all Korean hand specialists. Our data shows hospitals like Leadheal and Nanoori handle over 100,000 patients combined yearly. This high volume means surgeons are exceptionally practiced in minimizing donor site and incision visibility.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that endoscopic carpal tunnel scars often look like thin white wrinkles after a year. They emphasize that moisturizing and using sunblock religiously are vital for the best cosmetic result.
Simultaneous hand therapy is often included in Korean rehabilitation protocols following bilateral surgeries. It initiates neuroplastic changes to speed up functional recovery. Patients using this method alongside robotic assistance frequently see improved grip strength and shorter overall healing timeframes.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Leadheal Hospital in Seoul manages over 44,000 patients annually. Their high volume suggests that large-scale Korean centers integrate rehabilitation directly into surgical stays. This structure ensures therapy begins immediately after surgery. Such timing is crucial for maximizing neuroplasticity and ensuring long-term hand mobility.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that doing exercises with both hands simultaneously feels more natural. They often mention that starting therapy the same week as surgery helped them return to daily tasks sooner.