Analysis Report

Amiu Breast Clinic

In-depth Analysis of Representative Director Lee Moon-il

Breast Surgery Ethical Practice Specialized Care

Key Highlights

Institution Overview

Amiu Breast Clinic (Amiu Surgery) is a specialized medical facility located in Busan, South Korea, focusing primarily on breast and thyroid diseases. It is characterized by a dual-specialist system led by Representative Directors Lee Moon-il and Kim Jong-hyun.

Medical Leadership

Dr. Lee Moon-il is a board-certified surgeon with a Ph.D. in Medicine. His background includes tenure as a Clinical Fellow at Inha University Hospital’s Breast-Thyroid Center and as Chief of the Breast Center at Hwamyeong Ilsin Christian Hospital.

Clinical Focus

The clinic specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, benign tumors (using Mammotome), gynecomastia (male breast enlargement), accessory breasts, and inverted nipples.

Operational Philosophy

The clinic emphasizes "Honest Diagnosis" to prevent over-treatment, a "1:1 Lifetime Physician System," and the use of university-hospital grade diagnostic equipment.

Director's Profile: Dr. Lee Moon-il

Dr. Lee Moon-il serves as a Representative Director of Amiu Breast Clinic. His academic and professional background demonstrates a specialized focus on surgical oncology, specifically within the domains of breast and thyroid pathology.

Academic Background

  • Bachelor’s Degree: Medicine, Inha University College of Medicine
  • Master’s Degree: Medicine, Inha University College of Medicine
  • Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.): Medicine (Surgery Major), Pusan National University College of Medicine

Professional Career and Training

  • Internship: Severance Hospital (Yonsei University Health System)
  • Residency: Department of Surgery, Inha University Hospital
  • Fellowship: Clinical Fellow, Breast-Thyroid Center, Inha University Hospital
  • Academic Appointments: Adjunct Professor, Inha University College of Medicine
  • Clinical Leadership: Former Chief of the Breast Center, Hwamyeong Ilsin Christian Hospital

Certifications and Memberships

  • Board Certification: Board Certified Surgeon (Specializing in Breast and Thyroid Diseases)
  • Ultrasound Certification: Certified in Breast Ultrasound by the Korean Society of Surgical Ultrasound
  • Professional Memberships:
    • Regular Member, Korean Surgical Society
    • Regular Member, Korean Breast Cancer Society
    • Regular Member, Korean Association of Thyroid and Endocrine Surgeons
    • Regular Member, Korean Society of Breast Surgery
    • Regular Member, Korean Society of Surgical Ultrasound
    • Regular Member, Korean Academy of Aesthetic Surgery

Clinic Information

Location and Accessibility

Amiu Breast Clinic (Korean: 아미유외과의원), located in the commercial hub of Seomyeon, Busan, is a specialized surgical clinic dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of breast and thyroid conditions. The clinic is strategically situated in the medical district of Busan, ensuring high accessibility for patients across the region.

  • Address: 11th Floor, Jayrin Medical Building (formerly DR Medical Building), 753 Gaya-daero, Busanjin-gu, Busan
  • Public Transport: Accessible via Seomyeon Station (Line 1 & 2, Exit 9) and Buam Station (Line 2, Exit 2). Numerous bus lines serve the area.
  • Parking: Offers parking support in the building's tower parking lot and nearby designated parking areas.

Facility and Infrastructure

Amiu Breast Clinic operates with a focus on safety and precision, utilizing advanced infrastructure:

  • Independent Operating Rooms: Separated from consultation and treatment areas for sterility.
  • Sterile Systems: Implementation of aseptic systems to block intra-hospital infections.
  • Diagnostic Equipment: High-resolution digital mammography and ultrasonography equipment, comparable to university hospitals.
  • Recovery Facilities: Admission facilities for post-procedure observation.

Operational Philosophy

"Honest Diagnosis" and Avoidance of Over-treatment

The clinic is committed to "Honest Diagnosis," explicitly stating that not all benign tumors require removal. For conditions like simple cysts or fibrocystic changes, observation is recommended, fostering long-term trust and countering unnecessary medical procedures.

1:1 Lifetime Physician System

A "1:1 Lifetime Physician System" ensures continuity of care, where the specialist who diagnoses the patient also performs the surgery and oversees post-operative care, guaranteeing a comprehensive understanding of the patient's history and needs.

Safety and Safety Systems

Prioritizing patient safety, the clinic conducts procedures under local anesthesia when possible, has systems for intra-operative emergencies, and adheres to strict sterilization protocols in its operating theaters.

Major Clinical Areas & Procedures

Amiu Breast Clinic provides a comprehensive range of surgical and non-surgical interventions. The clinic's "One-Stop System" allows for consultation, examination, biopsy, and procedure planning to occur efficiently.

Mammotome Clinic

The Mammotome procedure is a core offering, a minimally invasive technique for both biopsy of suspicious lesions and complete removal of benign tumors without large surgical incisions. It allows for scarless recovery.

Indications for Surgery:

  • Benign tumors larger than 2cm or showing rapid growth.
  • Tumors with a potential to progress to malignancy.
  • Multiple benign tumors, or those causing pain/anxiety.
  • Pre-emptive removal before pregnancy or breast augmentation.

Ethical Practice Note:

Mammotome should NOT be used for "Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia" (ADH). The clinic advocates for surgical excision for ADH to ensure clear margins and accurate diagnosis, distinguishing their practice from potential overuse.

Gynecomastia (Male Breast Reduction)

Treatment for gynecomastia, a condition where men develop female-like breasts due to glandular or fatty tissue proliferation.

Classification & Treatment:

  • Type 1 (True Gynecomastia): Primarily glandular tissue; treated with glandular excision.
  • Type 2 (Pseudo-Gynecomastia): Primarily fatty tissue; treated with liposuction.
  • Type 3 (Mixed): Combination; treated with both liposuction and glandular excision.
  • Severe Cases: Mastectomy for significant skin redundancy.

Structural & Aesthetic Corrections

  • Inverted Nipple Correction: Surgery to correct inverted nipples, aiming to preserve lactiferous ducts for breastfeeding.
  • Accessory Breast Removal: Removal of extra breast tissue (e.g., in axilla) that can swell or cause discomfort.
  • Breast Implant Complications: Diagnosis and treatment of issues like implant rupture or capsular contracture using high-resolution ultrasound.

Thyroid Clinic

While the primary focus is breast surgery, Amiu Breast Clinic also operates a thyroid clinic for the screening and management of thyroid nodules and cancer, leveraging the endocrine surgery expertise of its directors.

Reputation and Patient Feedback

Patient Satisfaction

Kindness and Communication

Multiple reviews consistently praise the "kindness" of the medical staff and directors. Patients appreciate detailed explanations regarding their condition and the treatment process, fostering trust and clarity.

High Ratings and Positive Experience

The clinic maintains high ratings on medical review aggregators (e.g., 4.5/5 on Cashdoc, 9.4/10 on Modoodoc), with patient feedback regarding Mammotome and other procedures generally indicating satisfaction with results and post-operative care.

Professional Standing

Robust Academic and Clinical Background

Dr. Lee Moon-il is recognized as a specialist with a robust academic background, holding a Ph.D. and extensive experience in tertiary care settings, adding significant objective credibility to his practice.

Adherence to Ethical Medical Standards

The clinic's explicit stance on distinguishing between lesions that need Mammotome versus formal surgery (e.g., ADH) suggests a high standard of medical ethics and profound clinical knowledge, prioritizing patient well-being over financial gain.

Conclusion

Amiu Breast Clinic, led by Dr. Lee Moon-il and Dr. Kim Jong-hyun, establishes itself as a specialized center for breast and thyroid care in Busan. Dr. Lee’s profile combines rigorous academic training at Inha and Pusan National Universities with significant clinical experience in both university and specialized hospital settings.

The clinic distinguishes itself through a philosophy of ethical treatment—specifically avoiding unnecessary procedures—and by maintaining high-quality infrastructure comparable to larger institutions. The comprehensive service offering, ranging from cancer screening to aesthetic reconstruction (gynecomastia, inverted nipple), combined with positive patient testimonials regarding staff demeanor and clinical outcomes, positions it as a reputable medical service provider in the region.

Core Values

Honest Diagnosis

Committed to preventing over-treatment by recommending observation for non-critical conditions, building patient trust.

Patient-Centered Care

The "1:1 Lifetime Physician System" ensures continuous, personalized care from diagnosis through post-operative recovery.

Safety & Precision

Utilizes university-hospital grade diagnostic equipment and adheres to strict safety and sterilization protocols.