Man dies after seeking hair transplant surgery abroad
Industry Buzz
“Some overseas clinics operate at very high volume, delegate critical steps to technicians, or lack robust emergency resources.” — Adam Friedman, MD, professor and chair of dermatology at George Washington University
“Outside of the most common problems we observe—infections, bad outcomes, and unnatural results—patients who go to foreign countries have no real clinical follow-up care.” — Ken Williams Jr, DO, surgeon and founder of Orange County Hair Restoration
“Theoretically, this should be the same procedure wherever this surgery is done, but there is always the risk of less reputable practitioners.” — Carolyn Goh, MD, associate clinical professor in dermatology at UCLA
A British man has died while attending a hair transplant clinic in Turkey. []
Martyn Latchman, 38 years old, became unwell during the “preparatory phase” of the procedure and was transferred to an ICU at a nearby hospital, where he later passed away.
“While hair transplantation is generally considered a safe elective procedure, any surgery carries inherent risks… especially in settings where oversight, emergency preparedness, and follow-up care vary," Adam Friedman, MD, professor and chair of dermatology at George Washington University, tells MDLinx.
The preparatory phase can involve anesthesia, tumescent infiltration, and medication administration, all of which carry potential complications even before the first graft is placed, Dr. Friedman adds.
"Safety hinges on the surgeon’s qualifications, the facility’s standards, and the postoperative care plan," Dr. Friedman says. "Some overseas clinics operate at very high volume, delegate critical steps to technicians, or lack robust emergency resources. In countries with variable regulatory frameworks, it’s harder to verify those safeguards."
A return visit
Latchman had attended the same clinic in Turkey the previous summer and had had a successful hair transplant, The Guardian reports—he had returned for a second procedure. []
The clinic, based in Istanbul, reportedly has a string of high-profile clients, including international footballers. []
The clinic’s website claims to save patients up to 70% of the costs of a hair transplant done in other countries like the UK. [] But experts argue a cheaper price isn’t always worth it.
Elective surgery at a bargain price isn't worth the potential risks of bad outcomes—and even death, says Ken Williams, Jr., DO, FISHRS, ABHRS, surgeon and founder of Orange County Hair Restoration in Irvine, CA.
“Outside of the most common problems we observe—infections, bad outcomes, and unnatural results—patients who go to foreign countries have no real clinical follow-up care," Dr. Williams tells MDLinx. "The low ethical standards of medical tourism are a real and serious problem that patients must consider.”
Dr. Williams continues: “I see patients who have gone to Turkey with over-harvesting of the donor site. This hurts any future hair transplant that is needed to provide greater hair density."
Related: Australian physician charged with malpractice after inheriting $24 million from a patientHair transplants can be safe
When performed safely and by a reputable and qualified practitioner, hair transplantation is typically considered safe.
“Hair restoration surgery is generally a very safe procedure,” Carolyn Goh, MD, FAAD, associate clinical professor in dermatology at UCLA, tells MDLinx.
Local anesthetic is injected into the skin from the "donor" site (the hairs that will be moved/transplanted to the front), Dr. Goh explains. Then the frontal "recipient" area is anesthetized, also with local anesthetic.
"Theoretically, this should be the same procedure wherever this surgery is done, but there is always the risk of less reputable practitioners," Dr. Goh says.
But Dr. Friedman says physicians have an important role to play in counseling their patients on how to make a safe choice when considering hair transplantation surgery overseas.
He encourages patients to do a true risk-benefit-cost analysis, factoring in travel risks, potential complications, and the need for follow-up.
He also advises verifying the surgeon’s board certification and direct involvement in the procedure, as well as the facility’s accreditation and safety protocols, anesthesia plans, and emergency preparedness.
Doctors should also give patients a written aftercare plan with clear points of contact once they return home, according to Dr. Friedman.
“If any of these are unclear or rushed, that’s a red flag," Dr. Friedman says.
Related: A popular hair growth supplement linked to liver failure