The Division of Endocrine Surgery at Asan Medical Center has provided medical care to more than 210 international patients from 17 countries over the past five years. The division performs more than 2,000 thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal surgeries annually, providing the highest level of care to domestic and international patients. Professor Tae Yon Sung, who has been at the forefront of the outstanding achievements of the Division of Endocrine Surgery, shares her story about treating international patients.

What are your guiding principles when treating international patients?

Endocrine organs, such as the thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands, secrete various hormones to regulate and facilitate our body's metabolism. In the case of malignant tumors developing in any of these endocrine organs, resection surgery is required. In instances where complete resection is performed, hormone replacement therapy and post-operative care become necessary since hormone secretion would be compromised. Particularly, when dealing with malignant tumors in the thyroid, preserving surrounding organs becomes crucial, and this approach is sometimes referred to as ‘preserving surgery’ to ensure the conservation of adjacent structures. This is vital to avoid complications like voice change or hypoparathyroidism that may occur if the surrounding organs are damaged during the surgery. The focus is not only on tumor removal during surgery but also on post-operative care and preserving neighboring organs to help patients lead a normal daily life.

▲ Professor Tae Yon Sung(in the circle) with the medical staff of the Division of Endocrine Surgery at Asan Medical Center during the celebration of the 1,000th posterior retroperitoneal adrenalectomy

Tell us how you came to choose your medical specialty and about your medical experience so far

I developed an interest in surgery through anatomy lectures and practical exercises in medical school. This fascination led me to make the decision of becoming a general surgeon. The endocrine system, with its abundant distribution of blood vessels, demands delicate and precise surgical skills. Considering these characteristics align well with my meticulous nature, I chose to specialize in endocrine surgery. In October 2008, during my time as a fellow, I had the opportunity to train at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University in the United States (US), where I gained experience in various endocrine surgical procedures. From 2019 to 2020, I furthered my training at Stanford University School of Medicine in the US. During this time, I had the privilege of working with Professor Electron Kebebew, one of the most active endocrine surgeons in the US, collaborating on surgical procedures and research. At Asan Medical Center, my expertise lies in performing over 400 surgeries annually related to the thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands. Additionally, I am publishing more than two endocrine disorder research papers each year, contributing to a total of approximately 190 SCI papers to date.

What are the points you consider when treating international patients?

Having attended elementary and high school in the United States, I have no significant difficulties in conversing with foreigners and communicating in English. This allows me to actively approach the treatment of international patients, as there is a minimal psychological burden in communicating with them. Foreigners naturally utilize non-verbal communication, such as facial expressions and body language, during conversations. Taking these characteristics into consideration, I make use of various facial expressions and gestures to more clearly convey positive expectations or concerns about treatment prognosis when dealing with international patients.

▲ Professor Tae Yon Sung(front row, center) is performing an endoscopic thyroidectomy. She was the first to transfer ‘transaxillary endoscopic thyroidectomy’ to Myanmar.

Do you have any memorable international patients?

In 2018, I had the opportunity to visit Myanmar upon the invitation of Professor Sai Boon Soon, a Myanmar surgeon who trained in the Division of Endocrine Surgery at Asan Medical Center. Myanmar faces a challenging medical environment, with only about 60 doctors per 100,000 population. During my visit, I observed that they were primarily performing conventional open thyroidectomy by making an incision in the neck to remove thyroid tumors. At Yangon General Hospital in Myanmar, I introduced and performed the technique of transaxillary endoscopic thyroidectomy, which was the first of its kind in Myanmar. This innovative surgical approach allowed for the successful removal of thyroid tumors through an incision in the armpit. As a result, the patient experienced a rapid recovery and was able to be discharged in just two days after the surgery. It was a rewarding experience to share advanced surgical techniques and provide successful treatment to patients in Myanmar, knowing that it could have a positive impact on their healthcare system.

Any words you would like to say to international patients?

The Division of Endocrine Surgery at Asan Medical Center has been internationally recognized for its outstanding medical expertise, as evidenced by its invitation to Thailand in 2015, Malaysia in 2016, and Myanmar in 2018, to share advanced medical technologies. The medical staff of the Division of Endocrine Surgery continuously strives to explore the most optimal surgical methods for both domestic and international patients with endocrine disorders, actively engaging in related research endeavors. With our wealth of clinical experience and surgical expertise, I sincerely hope that international patients can receive the best possible treatment here at the Division of Endocrine Surgery at Asan Medical Center.

※ 'Meet AMC Experts' features dedicated doctors at Asan Medical Center(AMC) who shed light on international patients coming a long way from home for treatment.

Endocrine Surgery
Professor Tae Yon Sung

Specialty : Thyroid, Parathyroid, Adrenal Glands Surgery, and Robotic Surgery
Position : Associate Professor, Division of Endocrine Surgery
Academic Activities : Director of Information Management, Korean Association of Endocrine Surgery / Professional Society Member of Korean Thyroid Association, American Thyroid Association, American Association of Endocrine Surgeons, International Association of Endocrine Surgeons, Asian Association of Endocrine Surgeons / Author of 37 SCI (Science Citation Index) papers as the first or corresponding author / Co-author of over 150 SCI papers