From the Guidelines
Surgery tourism poses significant risks to patients, including subpar medical care, inadequate sterilization, and increased infection risks, which can lead to severe morbidity, mortality, and compromised quality of life. The most recent and highest quality study 1 highlights the growing trend of medical tourism, with global spending reaching $11 billion in 2017, and ophthalmic procedures being particularly popular among medical tourists. However, this study also notes that medical training standards and laws governing medical liability may vary between countries, and patients may not have access to long-term follow-up care.
Some of the key risks associated with surgery tourism include:
- Medical care standards varying widely across countries, potentially leading to subpar surgical procedures and increased infection risks
- Communication barriers resulting in misunderstandings about procedures and aftercare instructions
- Post-operative complications arising after returning home, leaving patients without immediate access to their original surgeon and facing challenges with continuity of care
- Legal recourse for malpractice being often limited or nonexistent in foreign jurisdictions
- Exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, as highlighted in a study on antimicrobial resistance in the context of the Syrian conflict 1
- Complications from long flights shortly after surgery, including deep vein thrombosis, as noted in a study on traveling with heart failure 1
- Potential difficulties with insurance coverage for complications upon return
- Quality of medical devices and implants not meeting the same regulatory standards as in one's home country
- Challenges with medication differences and prescription compatibility when returning home
These risks are magnified by the fact that many surgery tourism packages prioritize cost savings over comprehensive pre-operative screening, proper recovery time, and thorough follow-up care. As such, patients should carefully consider these risks and prioritize their health and well-being when making decisions about surgery tourism.
From the Research
Risks in Surgery Tourism
There are no research papers provided that directly discuss the risks associated with surgery tourism. The available studies focus on physical activity, epilepsy, and breast cancer screening, which are not relevant to the topic of surgery tourism.
- The studies provided do not mention surgery tourism or its associated risks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- None of the studies discuss the potential complications or hazards of traveling abroad for surgical procedures.
- As a result, there is no evidence from the provided studies to inform about the risks of surgery tourism.