Complications of Medical Tourism in Aesthetic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Case Series

INTRODUCTION: As medical cost continues to rise, so has the use of medical tourism by patients as a more cost-effective alternative. While the upfront cost savings lure many unsuspecting patients from their country of origin, there are significant patient safety issues surrounding short and long-term follow-up and the management and cost of complications. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses PRISMA. Additionally, three cases from our institution are presented demonstrating complications from cosmetic procedures performed abroad. RESULTS: 589 patients were identified in the literature who presented with complications after having a cosmetic procedure abroad. Infection was the most prevalent complication in this study followed by wound dehiscence, seroma/ hematoma, and tissue necrosis. 98% of the infectious organisms were bacterial, and 81% of them were from the Mycobacterium genus. Two of the patients we encountered underwent their initial surgery in the Dominican Republic and the third, in Colombia. The three patients presented with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections. CONCLUSIONS: Medical tourism is a rapidly growing industry, and it is important to report on risks associated with seeking aesthetic surgery abroad. This systematic review highlights the nature of complications following cosmetic tourism, the surgeries that resulted in complications, the countries that primary procedures took place in, and the countries of origin of the patients. While cost savings is a large motivator for patients to travel for surgeries, the financial burden and psychological impact of potential complications can be devastating. More awareness and resources are necessary to protect patients and empower them in making educated medical decisions when seeking care.