13-year-old Koray Yusuoğlu experienced shortness of breath after receiving an elbow blow to his chest during preparations for the U-14 National Football Team selection, five months ago. He was urgently taken to a hospital in Izmir. The tests revealed the presence of Chylothorax (a medical condition characterized by accumulation of fatty fluid in the lung cavities due to injury to the lymphatic vessels). The patient had severe shortness of breath and palpitations, and various interventions were carried out in Izmir. Firstly, interventional radiology and pediatric surgery specialists attempted to identify the source of the leakage. As these interventions were not successful, the patient underwent surgery on both lungs and the abdominal cavity by Thoracic Surgery specialists. Unfortunately, these interventions did not provide the desired results, and the patient’s distress worsened. Throughout the long periods of intensive care, Koray’s family never lost hope. The family continued to make efforts for their son’s recovery. After extensive searching, Koray was brought to Karadeniz Technical University (KTU) Farabi Hospital by air ambulance.
Prof. Dr. Hasan DİNÇ, Prof. Dr. Celal TEKİNBAŞ, Prof. Dr. Atila TÜRKYILMAZ, and Prof. Dr. Ali GÜNER from KTU Farabi Hospital carefully examined Koray’s condition and developed a comprehensive diagnostic and treatment plan. Based on the investigations and examinations, it was determined that surgery in the abdominal region would be the most suitable option for Koray. The surgery was a complex and meticulous process. The source of the problem was successfully eliminated through a major operation lasting approximately 7 hours involving the participation of Interventional Radiology, General Surgery, and Thoracic Surgery teams. The postoperative recovery process was closely monitored. Thankfully, the accumulation of fatty fluid leaking into the lungs, chest, and abdominal cavities was resolved. The multidisciplinary approach of the diagnosis and treatment team, combined with the meticulous work of the expert doctors and nurses, enabled Koray to regain his health.
Prof. Dr. Celal TEKİNBAŞ, in his statement about the process, said, “Damage to lymph tissue due to changes in air pressure is a very rare pathology. With the efforts of Interventional Radiology, we were able to identify the tear areas and pathology; our surgical intervention, follow-up, and treatment yielded results, and Koray regained his health. Like all of our patients, we were delighted to see Koray recover. We believe that our patient, who is young, vibrant, and will be a very important athlete in the future, has overcome his problem and returned to his normal life. The resolution of his problem and ensuring his return to a normal life in the future delighted our entire team.”
Koray’s family expressed their gratitude to the doctors and healthcare personnel at KTU Farabi Hospital. Thanks to the professional interventions and human-centered approaches of all hospital staff, Koray regained his health. Koray’s father, Kadir Yusuoğlu, shared his feelings, saying, “We have been going through a very difficult process for five months. Our child underwent multiple surgeries. Unfortunately, we could not find a cure in Izmir and had to come to Trabzon. Although our minds were constantly with our child, being in an unfamiliar city also worried us. However, the attention shown to us always made us feel at home. Our treatment process is over. We will have a follow-up in a week. That’s why we are currently guests in the home of a Trabzon family we have never met before. This is very valuable to us. We are very grateful to everyone who supported us during this process. They made great efforts and became instrumental in our son’s recovery. They contributed to both our child’s well-being and our happiness. May God bless them all. May God protect them from harm,” he expressed.
Koray is eagerly awaiting the day he will return to Izmir and the fields after his follow-up appointment in a week. Koray, who was previously followed by the National Team coaches, is closely monitored by the officials of GRI Sigorta Gültepespor. Before his injury, Koray was a big fan of Fenerbahçe, but now he wears the Trabzonspor jersey as a tribute to the Trabzonspor doctors who facilitated his healing.
Koray’s recovery gives him hope to return to the fields. This process, which is a turning point for him, further fuels his passion for football. In addition to regaining his health, the attention from the National Team and GRI Sigorta Gültepespor officials provides him with morale and motivation. Koray’s story once again demonstrates the power of sports and how people can overcome challenges they encounter in life.
