The case of Claudia Adusei, a student at Thames Valley University who died in Philadelphia following an operation in which liquid silicone was injected into her buttocks in a procedure to enhance her bottom, highlights the risks of cosmetic surgery.

Annually, thousands of Britons travel overseas for medical treatment, particularly dental work and cosmetic surgery. 

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, representing a third of cosmetic surgeons in the UK, found in 2009 that there had been a huge increase in patients experiencing complications following cosmetic surgery abroad. 

Cosmetic procedures involve risks, and complications can include infection, bleeding, thrombosis and clotting of the veins. Good surgeons should warn of the risks involved and give patients time to change their mind. Longer operations such as a tummy-tuck requiring a general anaesthetic have high complication rates due to patients' lack of mobility following surgery.

Although going abroad for treatment may be a cheaper option than undergoing treatment in the UK, quality standards are variable abroad and researching a surgeon's record or the safety of the hospital may be difficult. Aftercare can be lengthy and in the majority of cases, problems won't arise until the patients are already home.

Currently, there are about 100,000 cosmetic operations carried out each year in the UK, but the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death found in 2010 that many centres carrying out cosmetic surgery in the UK fail to assess and care for patients properly. It was found that more than half of the operating theatres were not properly equipped; a fifth had no emergency readmission policy and monitoring before and after treatment was not sufficient.

Access Legal from Shoosmiths has been dealing with cases relating to cosmetic surgery and dental treatment undertaken both in the UK and overseas for some time. If you have any queries relating to cases here or abroad, please call our legal helpline on 03700 86 87 88.

For further information, please visit our surgical error page, within our medical negligence solicitors section.

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