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

Abstract

Background and purposeThe increasing cost of cosmetic procedures, long elective waiting times in the public system and affordability of procedures offered abroad has driven the rapid growth of cosmetic tourism. The incidence and cost of patients presenting to the Irish health service with complications related to cosmetic procedures carried out in overseas institutions is largely unknown. This heterogenous group of patients is challenging to identify. Limited data exists for this patient group in the Irish context.We aimed to perform a multicentre audit and cost analysis of patients presenting to Irish health services with complications related to cosmetic procedures performed in overseas institutions over a 2 year period. MethodsPatients presenting to two University Hospitals from March 2019–April 2021 with complications after a cosmetic surgical procedure was performed abroad were studied. The HPO ABF 2020 price list data was used to calculate the inpatient and procedure cost for each subject. Main findings14 (13/92.8% female, mean age 43 ± 11.85 years) patients presented during the study period. Countries of cosmetic operation included: Belgium (6/46.2%), the UK (2/15.4%), Latvia, Turkey, Poland, Lithuania, and Estonia (1 patient/7.7% each country). All required a re-operative procedure. These interventions included: removal of infected implant (n = 1), adjustment or removal of a gastric band (n = 9) and debridement of an infected/necrotic wound (n = 3). Mean length of stay was 9.14 ± 7.48 (range 2–28) days. Five (38.4%) patients required vac dressing. The mean cost of the cohort for the interventional procedure and in-patient stay was €15912.53 (+/− €6388). The sum total of all the costs for the cohort was €231038.60. ConclusionsSignificant costs were associated with prolonged hospital admissions, operative interventions, intravenous antibiotics, VAC dressing application and follow up visits. Complications from procedures performed in overseas institutions account for a significant cost burden to health services in Ireland.