Background: In light of the escalating cost of cosmetic surgery in Bahrain, the burgeoning "Cosmetic Surgery Tourism" sector has captured the attention of many Bahrainis. Neighboring countries aggressively promote affordable packages on numerous social media platforms, luring individuals with the allure of a vacation experience. However, insufficient postoperative care abroad has far-reaching implications that jeopardize both patient well-being and the integrity of the healthcare system.

Objectives: This study aims to assess the present patterns of complications related to cosmetic surgery tourism and the resulting financial burden on the Bahraini healthcare system.

Methods: A retrospective cost analysis and chart review were performed for all patients who presented with complaints associated with cosmetic surgeries between January 2018 and September 2023. After identifying patient demographics, procedure characteristics, admission data, length of stay, and intervention needs, a comprehensive cost analysis was conducted.

Results: A total of 30 patients manifested complications. The complications associated with abdominoplasty were the most prevalent. Iran emerged as the most frequented destination, with Egypt and Turkey following in order of prevalence. Surgical-site infections constituted the most common complications. Required interventions included admission for intravenous antibiotics, hyperbaric wound care, implant removal, and critical care admission. The projected expense to the hospital was 65,970 BHD (175,000 USD), equating to an average expenditure of 2200 BHD (5852 USD) per patient.

Conclusions: The allure of cost-effective cosmetic treatments often leads to complications that impose substantial economic burdens. The study concludes with policy recommendations to balance individuals' freedom to seek healthcare abroad with long-term sustainability and equitable access to Bahrain's healthcare system.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11614354PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/asjof/ojae099DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

cosmetic surgery
12
surgery tourism
8
cost analysis
8
cosmetic
5
complications
5
unveiling true
4
true price
4
price assessing
4
assessing economic
4
economic impact
4

Similar Publications

Novel technique and outcomes of umbilical reconstruction during cytoreductive surgery; a multi-centre study.

Tech Coloproctol

January 2025

Peritonectomy and Liver Cancer Unit, Department of Surgery, St George Hospital, Kogarah, NSW, Australia.

Background: The goal of cytoreductive surgery for peritoneal malignancy is to remove all macroscopic disease, which occasionally requires the excision of the umbilicus. While the absence of the umbilicus can be aesthetically undesirable for patients, umbilical reconstruction is rarely performed due to the perceived complexity and increased risk of wound infections (Sakata et al. in Colorectal Dis 23:1153-1157, 2021).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Melanoma is the fifth most common skin cancer in the UK, accounting for 4% of all new cancer cases, with a predicted 7% increase in incidence between 2014-35. In parallel, since the initial publication of the Melanoma NICE Guidelines in 2015, there has been a paradigm shift in the management of the disease, with the introduction of effective systemic therapies. These innovations have reshaped the management of melanoma throughout the patient journey, and improved clinical outcomes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Bell's palsy (BP) is reported as the most common cause of facial paralysis, yet literature lacks a standardized definition of BP. To identify and categorize how the term "Bell's palsy" is defined and applied in published medical literature. Randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and reviews containing "Bell's palsy" were identified in MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL databases from inception until April 2, 2024.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Effectiveness of Isotretinoin Administration in Rhinoplasty: A Systematic Review.

Facial Plast Surg Aesthet Med

January 2025

Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.

To investigate the effectiveness of isotretinoin use in patients with thick nasal skin to improve rhinoplasty outcomes. The Population Intervention Comparison Outcome framework was utilized for selecting relevant studies for review. The databases of Medline, Embase, Cinahl, Central, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched in June 2024.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study examined whether intense personal feelings toward celebrities are positively correlated with women's consideration of cosmetic surgery, and whether body dissatisfaction and body shame serve as possible mediators of this relationship. A sample of 605 Chinese female undergraduates completed questionnaires on celebrity worship, consideration of cosmetic surgery, body dissatisfaction, and body shame. The results revealed a significant positive correlation between intense personal feelings toward celebrities and the consideration of cosmetic surgery.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!