An analysis of the cost and impact of cosmetic tourism and its associated complications: A multi institutional study

Saeed, Rafeh; M., Connelly Tara; Flanagan, Michael F.; Gillis, Amy; Elaf, Osman; Paul, Ridgway; James, O’Riordan; Aidan, Manning; Seamus, Murphy; Gerrard, O’Donoghue

doi:10.1016/j.surge.2021.12.007

Cited by 10 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“… 29 The average cost for evaluation in our study is approximately $6180 per patient and is not dissimilar to expense reports published previously ($6000-$26,000). 7 , 30 , 31 Furthermore, as described in other studies, Medicaid was the primary insurance provider for our patients as well. 7 , 22 Seventy percent of our patient population was insured by Medicaid which is funded by federal and state taxpayers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

Plastic Surgery Tourism: Complications, Costs, and Unnecessary Spending?

Hery,

Schwarte,

Patel

et al. 2023

Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum

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Background The liability of plastic surgery tourism in patient health and post-operative resource allocation is significant. Procedures completed within the context of medical tourism often lack rigorous quality assurance and provide limited pre-operative evaluation or post-operative care. Not only does this jeopardize the patient’s well-being, but it increases the financial burden and re-directs invaluable resources domestically through often unnecessary diagnostic tests and hospitalizations. Objectives This manuscript will examine the complications and associated costs following plastic surgery tourism and highlight unnecessary expenses for patients with outpatient complications. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of all patients 18 years or older who underwent destination surgery and were seen within 1 year post-operatively in consultation with plastic surgery at our health system between 11/1/2015 and 7/1/2022. Patient admissions were reviewed and deemed necessary or unnecessary after review by two physicians. Results The inclusion criteria were met by 41 patients, of which hospitalization was deemed necessary in 28 patients versus unnecessary in 13 patients. The most common procedures included abdominoplasty, liposuction, breast augmentation and “Brazilian butt lift”. The most common complications were seroma and infection. Patients deemed to have a necessary admission often required at least 1 operation, were more likely to need intravenous antibiotics, less likely to have the diagnosis of “pain”), necessitated a longer hospitalization, and incurred a higher cost. The total financial burden was $523,272 for all 41 patients. Conclusion Plastic surgery tourism poses substantial health risks, the morbidities are expensive, and it strains hospital resources.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 70%

Plastic Surgery Tourism: Complications, Costs, and Unnecessary Spending?

Hery,

Schwarte,

Patel

et al. 2023

Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum

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“…A search on PubMed revealed 13 studies presenting original data on medical tourism-associated infectious complications published from July 1, 2022 to January 1, 2024 [2 ▪ ,8 ▪ ,9 ▪▪ ,10 ▪▪ ,11 ▪▪ ,13 ▪ ,14 ▪ ,19 ▪▪ ,20,21 ▪ –24 ▪ ]. Their characteristics are shown in Table 1.…”

Section: Infections Related To Medical Tourismmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The costs for complications management ranged from $15 083 to $154 700 per case [6 ▪ ]. In a similar situation, a recent study of patients presenting to Irish healthcare services with complications related to cosmetic surgical procedures performed abroad estimated a mean cost of 15 912.53 Euros per case (all required re-operation and prolonged hospitalization) [19 ▪▪ ]. Lack of follow-up after receiving healthcare abroad may also account for prolonged morbidity.…”

Section: Challenges In Managing Patients Who Receive Healthcare Abroadmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges with medical tourism

Maltezou,

Pavli

2024

Current Opinion in Critical Care

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Purpose of review With the return of international travels to almost prepandemic levels, the number of patients who travel abroad to seek healthcare services is once again growing rapidly. Nevertheless, the expected benefits of medical tourism may be challenged by serious infectious complications. This review summarizes the evolving published evidence on infectious complications related with medical tourism of the last eighteen months. Recent findings There has been an increase of reported infectious complications in patients who had received healthcare abroad. Such complications were frequently associated with serious and prolonged morbidity, repeated treatments and hospitalizations, high healthcare costs, and occasionally fatalities. A devastating outbreak of fungal meningitis occurred among US residents who underwent epidural anesthesia for cosmetic surgery in two clinics in Mexico. Overall, as of July 5, 2023 there were 31 cases with severe cerebrovascular complications and eight deaths. Infections caused by nontuberculum mycobacteria and Candida sp have been also reported the last years. Summary Considering the expected expansion of medical tourism in the forthcoming years, public health authorities and scientific societies should raise awareness of such infections among physicians and other healthcare professionals and issue recommendations for their management. A system to report complications in patients receiving healthcare abroad is needed.

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