Patients traveling to other countries to undergo cosmetic surgery risk serious and costly complications after returning home, suggests a study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
The treatment of infections and other complications from medical tourism can cost the American health system about $ 1.3 billion per year, according to the study.
Complication rates and costs of going abroad
In a 36-month review of the records in their medical center, the researchers identified 42 patients with complications following medical tourism. The patients were 41 women and a man with an average age of 35 years. Abdominoplasty was the most common procedure followed by liposuction, buttock augmentation and breast augmentation. Most patients underwent multiple procedures and many had multiple complications, such as:
- 30 patients had infection as at least one of their complications, some of the infections involved types of unusual bacteria (such as Mycobacterium);
- 11 patients had abscesses;
- 8 had reopening of an incision (dehiscence);
- Some patients have had complications related to blood clots, kidney infection and other serious problems;
- 20 patients were admitted to the hospital;
- 13 required new surgeries.
The average cost of treating complications was about $ 18,000. Researchers conservatively estimate that the American public health system, Medicaid, pays about $ 730 million a year due to complications with medical tourism in plastic surgery, commercial insurance pays about $ 360 million.
In the interviews, eight of the 18 patients were not satisfied with the results of the procedures and most said they would not go abroad for subsequent procedures. It is estimated that 15 million Americans seek medical care abroad each year and that number is expected to increase in the future.
“In addition to the complications identified by the study, patients may receive sub-optimal care due to different standards in the training of surgeons and in the accreditation of surgical facilities in destination countries. Even the trip itself can contribute to the risks of complications, “says plastic surgeon Ruben Penteado, (CRM-SP 62.735), director of the Center for Integrated Medicine.
“Patients need to be educated about the risks and complications of cosmetic surgeries, both at home and abroad, so they can make more informed decisions in the future. In addition, hospitals and the healthcare industry need to create incentives to encourage patients to seek cosmetic procedures in the internal market, thereby reducing the risk to patients and also minimizing the financial burden of the health system, “he said.
Photo: Reproduction