Les enjeux du tourisme chirurgical dans le domaine de la chirurgie esthétiqueThe challenges of surgical tourism in the field of aesthetic surgery

INTRODUCTION Surgical tourism is a growing phenomenon, causing a surge demand for the management of its complications. In this study, we aimed to evaluate complications that occur after cosmetic breast surgery abroad; and their costs for the public health system. MATERIAL AND METHODS We reviewed the medical files of patients treated in our department for a complication after cosmetic breast surgery outside Switzerland and assessed all complications requiring hospitalization; and estimated the overall medical costs. RESULTS Over a two-year period, 26 patients were treated for 39 complications. The main complication was infection (71% of cases), mainly with a multidrug-resistant organism (47%) and atypical mycobacteria. Of the 16 patients with breast prosthesis, 7 implants were removed. The effective average costs incurred for the hospital care of these cases was estimated to 14'724 Swiss Francs (∼12'963 Euros) per patient. CONCLUSION The high rate of multidrug-resistant and mycobacterial atypical infections are a major public health problem. It is necessary to inform patients much better about the risks of surgical tourism. Furthermore, the danger of transfer of multidrug-resistant or atypical germs from abroad should not be overlooked. Physicians should be informed about this risk and take necessary measures for treatment and diagnosis of these complications

Les enjeux du tourisme chirurgical dans le domaine de la chirurgie esthétique

Le tourisme chirurgical est un phénomène en augmentation, engendrant une recrudescence de demande de prise en charge de ses complications. Le but de cette étude est d’évaluer sur le plan épidémiologique et économique les complications qui surviennent après une chirurgie esthétique mammaire à l’étranger