Plastic surgeons report surge in reoperations for patients treated abroad

Plastic surgeons are warning about a rise in the number of patients needing treatment for complications after travelling abroad for cosmetic procedures.

A review of patients at the Royal Free Hospital in London found that between 2015 and 2017 plastic surgeons saw 21 patients who had been abroad for treatment. The complications resulted in 18 episodes of inpatient admission and 46 operations. The total cost for the 21 patients was £282 000 (€314 610; $368 610), with an average of £13 500 per patient.

Patients went to a range of countries, with Eastern European countries being the most common. Infection (42% of cases) was the …