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Background: Cosmetic tourism is an increasingly common phenomenon, both in Ireland and internationally. Complications associated with procedures performed abroad may manifest after the patient has traveled back to their home country with patients often presenting to local health services. Such complications can be infectious in nature requiring either antimicrobial therapy and/or source control in the form of wound debridement or radiologically guided interventional procedures., Methods: Patients who had presented to a regional plastic surgery unit between September 2021 and December 2022 with complications related to aesthetic procedures performed outside Ireland were identified in this retrospective-prospective design. Medical records were reviewed to ascertain what procedures were performed, where the procedure had taken place, the nature of complications, and microbial culture and sensitivity results., Results: Thirty patients were identified during the study timeframe, predominantly female (n = 28) with a mean age of 40.27 years (SD 10.6). Abdominoplasty was the most common procedure (n = 17), and Turkey was the most frequently cited destination (70%). Wound dehiscence accounted for the majority of complications (n = 18). Wound cultures were obtained in 80% (n = 24) of patients and a causative organism was isolated in 85% (n = 34) of cultures. Eighteen species of bacteria were identified and antimicrobial sensitivities were obtained for 16 of these. Antimicrobial resistance to commonly prescribed empiric antibiotics was noted in several isolates., Conclusion: Post-operative infections related to cosmetic tourism are a growing concern in plastic surgery. The bacterial etiology is varied, and antimicrobial resistance poses significant challenges, highlighting the need for early intervention and wound cultures to guide effective management., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction: Aesthetic surgery tourism is a flourishing trend, and challenges often arise when patients return home with post-operative complications, necessitating follow-up care., Methods: Between July 2021 and June 2023, we conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who presented with complications from aesthetic surgery tourism in two major teaching hospitals in Ireland., Results: Thirty-three patients with a mean age of 41 years were identified. Procedures were predominantly performed in Turkey (67%), followed by Lithuania (24%). Complications included wound dehiscence (n = 22), infections (n = 9), seroma (n = 9), haematoma (n = 2) and skin necrosis (n = 1). A total of 27 operations were performed, with an average hospital stay of four days and a per-patient cost of €5 486., Conclusion: Complications from aesthetic surgery abroad not only have a psychological and financial impact on the individuals involved but also strain our public healthcare system. Therefore, it is important for us, as medical professionals to advocate for our patients in order for them to make informed and safe decisions before seeking healthcare abroad., (Copyright © 2024 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)