The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Tuesday that many people faced serious complications such as bacterial infections and, in some instances, death after traveling domestically and internationally for cosmetic surgery.
The agency referenced a study published in its Emerging Infectious Diseases journal, which examined over 2,100 reports from 2014 to 2024 regarding US residents who traveled for cosmetic surgeries, including liposuction and breast augmentation.
The study found 21 reports involving around 145 patients who had negative outcomes, including infections, linked to both domestic and international surgical centers and clinics.
A CDC nurse epidemiologist, Kiara McNamara said,”More and more people are getting medical procedures outside the United States, but there are risks.”
According to the CDC’s website, US residents frequently travel to Mexico and Canada, as well as countries in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean for medical tourism.
Some of the common treatments that residents pursue include dental care, cosmetic surgery, fertility care, transplants, and cancer treatment.
Cause revealed behind patient deaths
The study revealed that postsurgical infections were reported in 20 cases, including 12 suspected or confirmed bacterial infections.
The agency reported four cases of patient deaths, noting that one domestic and one international investigation uncovered major failures in environmental cleaning, personal protective equipment usage, hand hygiene, and surgical equipment reprocessing.
In view of the situation, the agency called for improved surveillance, better collaboration between healthcare providers and public health agencies, and patient education to identify complications early and help prevent them.
People often seek medical care abroad due to lower costs, culturally familiar providers, or procedures that are unavailable or unapproved in the United States.
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