Safety and Outcomes in Plastic Surgery Medical Tourism: A Review of 2324 Patients and 7141 Procedures

Medical tourism for cosmetic surgery is expanding due to demand for high-quality, safe, and affordable procedures. This study built on prior research by analyzing a larger cohort of plastic surgery patients in Colombia, a leading destination for international patients seeking superior quality, service, and value. We presented the largest review to date on safety and outcomes in plastic surgery medical tourism, comparing our results with benchmark publications from board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States.

A retrospective observational study was conducted on 2324 international patients (7141 procedures) who underwent cosmetic surgery at a private practice in Cartagena, Colombia, from 2013 to 2024. Patient demographics, procedures, and surgical sites were recorded. Postoperative outcomes were analyzed using medical charts of 1363 patients (4244 procedures) treated from 2020 to 2024.

Patient demographics and procedure trends align with data from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Eighty-nine percent of patients traveled from the United States or Canada, and the majority were well-educated professionals. The overall complication rate was 6.2% per patient (2.2% per procedure), which compares favorably with published benchmarks from board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States.

Plastic surgery medical tourism, when performed in high-volume, well-regulated centers, can achieve outcomes equivalent to leading practices in the United States, reinforcing its viability as a safe and effective option for international patients. A center of excellence model and strict safety protocols contributed to these favorable outcomes.