Public healthcare costs of complications of cosmetic surgery in Sweden – a regional study

Background: Cosmetic surgery has increased during recent decades, both domestically and through cosmetic tourism. Patients who develop postoperative complications frequently seek care in the public healthcare system. The extent to which these complications generate healthcare workload and costs within Swedish public hospitals remains poorly described. Methods: This retrospective cohort study includes patients presenting with acute complications after cosmetic surgery to the three hospitals in Region Örebro County, Sweden, between 2018 and 2024. Patients were identified through medical records and administrative systems. Cosmetic procedures performed locally, elsewhere in Sweden, or abroad were included. The primary outcome was direct hospital cost per patient estimated using diagnosis-related group weights. Secondary outcomes included emergency department attendance, hospital admission, length of stay (LOS), diagnostic investigations, surgical interventions and outpatient follow-up. Statistical comparisons between groups were performed using chi-square tests, independent sample t-tests and non-parametric tests where appropriate. Results: A total of 53 patients were included. The ma