[Public specialised care for postoperative complications after cosmetic breast augmentation]

Aesthetic surgery has become increasingly common in Sweden, and complications from privately performed procedures sometimes require treatment in the public healthcare system. This national register-based study investigated the proportion of women undergoing cosmetic breast augmentation who received public specialised care for postoperative complications within three months. Data from 3512 women registered in the Swedish Breast Implant Registry (BRIMP, 2014-2024) were analysed using ICD-10 codes from the National Patient Register. In total, 38 women (1.1%) were treated in the public system for complications, most commonly wound rupture (61%) and bleeding (26%); severe systemic complications were rare (0.14%). The findings suggest that only a minority of complications after cosmetic breast augmentation are managed within the public healthcare system. However, the study has methodological flaws, and improved national reporting is necessary to inform future healthcare planning and policy.