The financial burden of complications of overseas breast implants at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital

Abstract

**Introduction:** An increasing number of Australians are travelling overseas for aesthetic surgery. This study aims to establish the financial costs of complications arising from overseas inserted breast implants. **Method:** Data from the Australian Breast Device Registry (ABDR) on patients who have undergone removal of overseas inserted implants at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital from October 2014 to October 2019 was analysed. Financial costs were calculated using electronic medical records and discharge codes. **Results:** Of the 331 cases of implant removals recorded, only eight (2.4%) were from overseas inserted devices. Seven of these were performed as emergency procedures. Two patients required more than one operation. Length of stay (LOS) ranged from two to 28 days with a median LOS of 8.6 days. Most patients had multi-disciplinary team involvement with infectious diseases being the most consulted specialty. All patients required in-hospital IV antibiotic therapy and dressing changes. All were offered more than one out patient follow-up appointment. The total cost to our department surpassed AU$110,000 which represents four per cent of the total hospital spending on breast device explantations. **Conclusion:** Surgical complications from overseas implant procedures cost a small percentage of the hospital budget for breast procedures. However, with the increasing popularity of cosmetic tourism, this figure could increase in the following years. We can use this information to educate individuals on making better choices while potentially reducing the financial burden to public hospitals in Queensland.