Data from over 2,300 international patients suggests complication rates at accredited centers can be comparable to, or lower than, US datasets.
A new study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open finds that plastic surgery medical tourism, when conducted in accredited, high-volume international centers, can achieve safety outcomes that are as safe, and in some cases safer, than procedures performed in the US.
The peer-reviewed article, titled “Safety and Outcomes in Plastic Surgery Medical Tourism: A Review of 2,324 Patients and 7,141 Procedures,” analyzed a consecutive series of international patients treated between 2013 and 2024. The research was led by Dr Alex Campbell and Dr Carolina Restrepo of Premium Care Plastic Surgery in Cartagena, Colombia.
Key Study Findings
The study found that 89% of the patients traveled from the US and Canada. The most common procedures were body contouring (57%), facial surgery (25%), and breast surgery (18%).
Overall complication rates were 6.2% per patient and 2.2% per procedure, which the authors note are favorable when compared with large US datasets. Specifically, the study reported tummy tuck complications at 5.5% and liposuction complications at 0.3%, rates significantly lower than US benchmarks from the TOPS database.
“Our data show that with rigorous standards, advanced facilities, and comprehensive care, international centers can deliver outcomes that match or exceed those of leading practices in the United States,” says Dr Alex Campbell, co-founder of Premium Care Plastic Surgery, in a release. “This challenges misconceptions about medical tourism and demonstrates the value of a Center of Excellence model.”
A Model for International Care
The findings suggest that patient safety is more dependent on care standards than geography. The study authors attribute their results to a model that includes preoperative assessments, the use of dual-surgeon teams to reduce anesthesia time, and structured telemedicine for follow-up care.
Photo caption: Dr Alex Campbell and Dr Carolina Restrepo lead the team of board-certified plastic surgeons and multidisciplinary specialists at Premium Care Plastic Surgery in Cartagena, Colombia.
Photo credit: Premium Care Plastic Surgery
