Dr. Ilias S. Karakitsos, MD, MSc
Adult and Pediatric ENT Surgeon
Dr. Ilias S. Karakitsos is an Adult and Pediatric Otorhinolaryngologist (ENT Surgeon) with a private practice in Veria.
He specialized and received further training at the University Clinic of Kiel (Dr. med.) in Germany. He is a certified ultrasound examiner in the head and neck region (DEGUM, KESY).
He provides comprehensive medical and surgical ENT care for adults and children. His expertise includes thyroid and parathyroid surgery, salivary gland and parotid surgery, pediatric ENT cases, and head and neck oncology. He has experience in sialendoscopy, ultrasound-guided biopsies, and the use of surgical lasers in pharyngeal and laryngeal procedures.
Postgraduate Studies – Training
MSc in Thyroid and Parathyroid Gland Surgery Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Thesis: “Comparison of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and surgery for the treatment of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.”
Education – Training – Certifications
PhD Candidate
Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Germany Thesis
Topic: “Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) in Cluster Headache.”
Participated as an instructor for medical students and residents in Kiel and Bremen.
MSc in Thyroid and Parathyroid Gland Surgery
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Thesis: “Comparison of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and surgery for the treatment of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.”
Ultrasound Certification & Licensure
License for the performance of ultrasounds in the Head, Neck, and Thyroid region (Central Board of Health – KESY, Greece, 2023), obtained following examinations.
Certified in Head and Neck Ultrasound (DEGUM Level II) by the German Society for Ultrasound in Medicine (Berlin, 2023).
Board Certification (Specialty Title)
Title of Medical Specialty in Otorhinolaryngology, Germany (Ärztekammer Westfalen-Lippe, 2022).
Residency Training History
- Resident in Otorhinolaryngology: Prosper Hospital, Clinic for ENT Diseases and Head & Neck Surgery (Chief Physician: Prof. Dr. med. Dr. med. dent. Dr. h.c. Ralf Siegert) | 10/2016 – 03/2022
- Resident in Otorhinolaryngology: General Hospital of Veria (Director: A. Kotsani) | 07/2015 – 09/2016
- Resident in General Surgery: General Hospital of Veria (Director: Dr. C. Demertzidis) and General Hospital of Grevena (Director: I. Zikopoulos).
MSc in Health Care Management
Hellenic Open University
Awarded Scholarship of Excellence.
Medical Degree (MD)
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (2013)
Grade: 7.2 (Very Good)
Experience – Specialization
Current Position: Consultant ENT Surgeon
AHEPA University General Hospital
Head of Pediatric ENT Outpatient Clinic
Operates every Wednesday, 9:00 – 11:00 am.
Head of Thyroid and Parathyroid Neck Mass Outpatient Clinic
Operates every Thursday, alternating with Dr. Tsiropoulos. Performs ultrasounds and Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration (US-FNA) biopsies for the diagnostic sampling of suspicious masses in all cervical regions, including the parotids, thyroid gland, etc.
ENT Specialist (Facharzt)
University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Campus Kiel, Germany
Worked as an ENT Specialist at one of the largest hospitals in Germany, certified for oncological cases. Collaborated with Prof. P. Ambrosch, a pioneer in the use of Laser surgery for the pharynx and larynx. Acquired extensive experience in ultrasounds and in performing ultrasound-guided biopsies in the neck and thyroid gland; performed a vast number of biopsies and other ENT diagnostic techniques, as well as ENT surgical procedures. Furthermore, due to the collaboration between the ENT Clinic and the Pediatric Clinic at the University Hospital, participated and gained experience in the management of malformations and ENT syndromes in children. Collaborated with Prof. Laudien, who holds high specialization and scientific recognition in paranasal sinus surgery and autoimmune diseases (Relevant scientific publication at the Pan-German ENT Congress).
Consultant (Oberarzt) – Clinic for Plastic Operations and Special Pain Therapy
Klinikum Bremen-Mitte, Bremen, Germany
Served as a Consultant in the ENT Clinic (Hals-Nasen-Ohrenklinik) for plastic surgeries and special pain therapy. The treatments cover the full spectrum of general and specialized, conservative as well as surgical Otorhinolaryngology. This also includes plastic and reconstructive surgery of the head and neck. It constitutes one of the largest ENT clinics in Northern Germany and is part of the Center for Neurology and Head & Neck Surgery, comprising an Oncology Center, a Trauma Center, and a Salivary Gland Center. Collaborated with Prof. Naumann, who became renowned for his engagement with Tissue Engineering and the plastic reconstruction of ear defects using Medpor. Acquired personal surgical experience across the full spectrum of ENT Oncology (head and neck tumors), and in surgeries of the salivary glands, nose, paranasal sinuses, and Pediatric ENT.
Resident in Otorhinolaryngology
Prosper Hospital, Recklinghausen, Germany
Gained scientific experience from the techniques of the ENT Clinic Director, Prof. Siegert, who is distinguished worldwide for the technique he applied—being among the first to do so—in the surgery of children (primarily) and adults with anotia, aural atresia of the external auditory canal, and other syndromes. Gained experience in the surgery of the full ENT spectrum (oncology, paranasal sinuses, etc.). The Clinic specializes in plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery of the head and neck region, as well as in the rehabilitation of patients with congenital or acquired dysplasias of the auricle.
Medical Licensure
- Acquisition of German Medical License (Approbation): Ärztekammer Westfalen-Lippe, 2016.
- Acquisition of Greek Medical License: 2013
Member of Scientific Societies
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie
German Society for Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ultraschall in der Medizin
German Society for Ultrasound in Medicine
Hellenic Rhinology and Facial Plastic Surgery Society
Biography
Dr. Ilias S. Karakitsos was born and raised in Veria, the son of Sotiris Karakitsos, a physics teacher and founder of the “Methodiko” tutoring center, a long-standing educational institution that served as a reference point for secondary education in Veria for over 40 years.
From an early age, he showed a strong interest in medicine, combining a passion for scientific precision with a genuine connection to people.
He specialized and received advanced training in Germany at the University Clinic of Kiel (Dr. med.), gaining valuable experience in head and neck surgical oncology, thyroid and parathyroid surgery, salivary gland and parotid surgery, as well as pediatric ENT.
He continues to be inspired by surgical procedures that significantly improve patients’ health and quality of life in a short period of time. In addition, he has experience in sialendoscopy, ultrasound-guided biopsies, and the use of surgical lasers in pharyngeal and laryngeal procedures. He is a certified head and neck ultrasound examiner (DEGUM, KESY).
Beyond his medical practice, Dr. Ilias S. Karakitsos has received an Excellence Scholarship from the Hellenic Open University (2019–2020) and possesses excellent language skills in Greek, German, and English.
His personal interests include astronomy — he is a member of the Ioannina Astronomy Association — sailing, as a member of the Thessaloniki Sailing Club and a licensed sailor, as well as skiing, where he was an athlete of the Veria Mountaineering and Ski Club, participating in national championships and the “Universiade” games.
Publications
Successful therapy with tocilizumab in a patient with therapy-refractory relapsing polychondritis[ 2023 ]
Reference details: I. Karakitsos, PD R.Zeuner, Prof. M. Hoffmann, Prof. M. Laudien,Kongress HNO 2023, Leipzig, Germany
Brain gain: An investigation of the factors influencing the intention of repatriation of Greek doctors from Germany to Greece
Reference details: I.Karakitsos, V.Aletras, archives of hellenic medicine 2023, 40(2): 254-259
Certificates
