THE DOCTOR
Prof. Dr. Yalçın Karakoca — Pulmonologist, Interventional Bronchoscopy
Last updated: 25 September 2026 · Sources: CV, PubMed, patent records
SHORT ANSWER
Prof. Dr. Yalçın Karakoca was born in Ankara in 1967. He graduated from Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine in 1992. He has been a pulmonologist since 1996. During his specialty training, he trained in therapeutic bronchoscopy in Germany (Hemer) and France (Marseille). He became an associate professor in 1998. In 1999, together with Prof. Dr. İzzettin Barış, he founded Turkey’s first interventional bronchoscopy centre in Kocaeli. He developed the Karakoca Resector Balloon method, which is used in chronic bronchitis-type COPD. He also developed the Karakoca Valve for emphysema. The method has been published in peer-reviewed journals and discussed in independent reviews. He sees patients at his clinic in Kavacık (Beykoz), Istanbul.
Biography
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1967 | Born in Ankara |
| 1984 | Ankara High School |
| 1992 | Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine — Doctor of Medicine |
| 1992–1996 | Hacettepe University Department of Chest Diseases — research assistant; specialty training |
| During specialty training | Dortmund Hemer Lungen Klinik (Germany) and Marseille Cancer Laser Center (France) — training in therapeutic bronchoscopy for lung cancer |
| 1996 | Pulmonologist |
| 1998 | Associate Professor of Pulmonology |
| 1999 | Founding, with Prof. Dr. İzzettin Barış, of an interventional bronchoscopy centre supported by Kocaeli Municipality (the first in Turkey) |
| 2001 | Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine — Therapeutic Bronchoscopy Centre |
| 2002 | Maltepe University Faculty of Medicine — Therapeutic Bronchoscopy Unit; Head of the Department of Chest Diseases |
| 2003 | Turkey’s first hands-on therapeutic bronchoscopy symposium, with Prof. Dr. Jean-François Dumon |
| 2006–2008 | Development of the Resector Balloon; first technical publication in Ann Thorac Surg |
| 16th World Congress for Bronchology (Tokyo) | International presentation of the method |
| 2015, 2018 | Pilot study in COPD and a 188-patient case series |
| 2019, 2023 | EUIPO design registration; USPTO patent (US 11833318) |
| Present | Prof. Dr. Yalçın Karakoca Bronkoplasti Kliniği (Prof. Dr. Yalçın Karakoca Bronchoplasty Clinic), Kavacık, Beykoz / Istanbul; Ministry of Health International Health Tourism Authorisation Certificate |
Areas of expertise
Interventional bronchoscopic treatments for COPD and chronic bronchitis · Balloon bronchoplasty (Karakoca Resector Balloon) · Endobronchial valve for emphysema (Karakoca Valve) · Central airway obstruction, airway narrowing, stents · Opening the airway in lung cancer · Rigid and flexible bronchoscopy · Lung function tests and COPD follow-up
Devices he developed and intellectual property
- Karakoca Resector Balloon: A mesh-covered, protein-free latex balloon. Manufactured in Istanbul. US patent US 11833318 (2023), EU design registrations 006267597-0001 and -0002 (2019). → Device page
- Karakoca Valve: A retrievable, repositionable one-way endobronchial valve. → Valve page
Declaration of interests: Prof. Dr. Karakoca is the inventor of these devices. He holds the patent for the Karakoca Resector Balloon and is the patent applicant for the Karakoca Valve. This relationship is clearly stated in all publications and on this site.
Scientific publications (selected)
There are four articles indexed in PubMed (2008, 2009, 2015, 2018) and two non-indexed studies. The method is also mentioned in independent reviews (ERR 2021, JCM 2023, Life 2023). Full list: Scientific publications.
Media
He has appeared in programmes and news reports on COPD and balloon treatment. These include CNN Türk, FOX TV, Habertürk and Cumhuriyet. → In the media
Consultations
Prof. Dr. Yalçın Karakoca Bronkoplasti Kliniği (Prof. Dr. Yalçın Karakoca Bronchoplasty Clinic), Rüzgarlıbahçe Mah. Cumhuriyet Cad. Hasoğlu Plaza Kat:3, Kavacık / Beykoz, İstanbul · +90 530 337 85 95 · info@yalcinkarakoca.com. Interventional procedures are performed at a partner hospital.
PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT
Is it suitable for you?
Book an appointment and bring your breathing test and chest CT scan reports. We decide together at the consultation. If you are coming from outside Istanbul, an online preliminary consultation can be held first.
Please bring: your breathing test, your chest CT scan report and images (CD/USB), your list of medicines and, if you have one, your blood gas test result.
HAVE A QUESTION?
Frequently asked questions
The questions patients and their families ask most often about Prof. Dr. Yalçın Karakoca. Your personal situation requires a consultation.
APPOINTMENT
Book an appointment for a preliminary assessment
To find out whether you are suitable, book a preliminary assessment appointment. Bring your breathing test, chest CT scan report and list of medicines with you.
info@yalcinkarakoca.com · Rüzgarlıbahçe Mah. Cumhuriyet Cad. Hasoğlu Plaza Kat:3, Kavacık / Beykoz, İstanbul
This page is for general information purposes. It does not replace a medical examination or diagnosis. Treatment decisions are made during an examination, on an individual basis. In an emergency, call 112.
Medical content review: Prof. Dr. Yalçın Karakoca, Pulmonologist · Last updated: 25 September 2026