Surgical treatment of heart disease in Bucheon, South Korea

My son is 2 years old, he underwent a very complex operation to close an atrial septal defect (10mm). The operation was performed using an endovascular method. We are so happy that we had this operation at Samsung. It was important for us that the operation was not open-heart surgery. I searched for a long time for information, experience, consequences, and dreamed that we could have the operation done this way. In Kazakhstan, such closures are not performed on children weighing less than 15 kg. Many parents take their children to Russia, Germany, South Korea, Israel. By a happy coincidence, we ended up at Samsung, where I met the mother of a baby who was there with the same problem.

I am ready to kiss the hands of surgeon Kang Yi Seok, the entire pediatric department, and the department for working with Russian-speaking patients, Sonia, Lisa, and Mr. Choo. They all contributed to my son's recovery. A fragile girl named Sonia met us at the airport and then accompanied us to examinations, supported me morally during the operation, and became almost like family to me.

About a month has passed since the operation, I look at my son's leg, the site of the operation, but I don't see anything there. No bruise, no scar. If I hadn't seen his leg right after the operation, one might think he never had a puncture. My God, is this really what modern high-tech is?

I want to note the high professionalism of the nurses, how quickly and painlessly they install catheters, draw blood, how they change the adhesive tape on these catheters, wipe the puncture site with special wipes, and massage to prevent stiffness! They find an approach to every child. Everything is so organized and computerized. Each child in the department wears a bracelet on their arm containing all information about the child and the prescribed treatment. When you come for an examination, everyone already knows what examination to do. During the examination, the child watches cartoons. After examinations, we walk in the garden in a special children's stroller with a stand holding various blinking sensors and IV drips.

There are several restaurants, a grocery store, a small household goods store, a bank, a pharmacy, and even souvenir shops on the clinic grounds - it's like a city within a city. I want to tell all parents whose children face heart surgery that the main thing is to find a good clinic, trust the surgeon, and get the best treatment.

My daughter needed treatment in Korea.

Nine days after birth, she was transferred to intensive care. Since the doctors couldn't make a diagnosis, my husband and I decided to seek help from Korean doctors. We chose South Korea because we had heard many good things about medicine in this country. It also mattered that it's close to Vladivostok, and the flight takes only 2 hours.

At "Severance", the diagnosis - a heart defect - was made within 3 hours, and the operation was performed the very next day. On the 3rd day, my daughter was transferred from intensive care to a regular ward. Then we spent 20 days recovering and undergoing examinations.

At every stage, they explained in detail what the doctors were doing and why, always making sure we understood correctly. Before discharge, they also gave us test results on a disc (no papers that are easy to lose or mix up!), a treatment plan, and medication for six months. 

It's scary to think what could have happened if we hadn't turned to "Severance" for treatment for our little girl in time. I am grateful to everyone who was with us during this difficult time!

When my two-year-old son was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect, I started looking for a hospital that could help us. In Kazakhstan, pediatric cardiac surgery is only developing; children like him usually undergo open-heart surgery. Therefore, we read about Russia, Germany, Israel, Korea, where minimally invasive surgeries are performed — it's safer and easier for the child to endure. After gathering all possible information, we decided to choose "Samsung".

The hospital is simply huge — I was amazed when I saw it! Right in the building where we stayed, there were restaurants, several shops, a pharmacy, a bank, and a garden nearby — we often walked there. But more importantly, wonderful doctors work there. I am grateful to our surgeon Kang I-seok, pediatricians, and coordinators who picked us up from the airport, constantly supported us, accompanied us during examinations. The nurses are very calm and kind, easily find an approach to any child, even if he is acting up. And my son seemed to feel the universal support and behaved very calmly, didn't cry.

The entire process of examinations and treatment is very orderly and computerized. Doctors prepare in advance for the appointment and familiarize themselves with the medical history. During procedures, children are distracted with cartoons so they don't get anxious. They are fed 3 times a day, you can choose a menu.

In the end, I want to support everyone who is facing heart surgery — don't despair! Look for a good hospital and doctor and you will definitely find it!

Our cardiologist, who knew a lot about Korean medicine and especially about this medical center, advised us to contact "Asan." After the surgery, he himself confirmed that it was done perfectly, even better than he expected.

My well-being is now much better: my heart no longer bothers me, and examinations show that there is nothing to worry about.