Cosmetic breast augmentation in Australia: a cost of complication study

**Background**: Treatment of complications from cosmetic breast augmentation is subsidised by government funding in Australia. We aimed to estimate the total cost to the Australian public health system of the treatment of complications following cosmetic breast augmentation. **Method**: Using the P...

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Main Authors: George S Miller, Suzanne Robinson, Christopher M Reid, David J Hunter-Smith
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons 2018-09-01
Series:Australasian Journal of Plastic Surgery
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.34239/ajops.v1i2.120
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author George S Miller
Suzanne Robinson
Christopher M Reid
David J Hunter-Smith
author_facet George S Miller
Suzanne Robinson
Christopher M Reid
David J Hunter-Smith
author_sort George S Miller
collection DOAJ
description **Background**: Treatment of complications from cosmetic breast augmentation is subsidised by government funding in Australia. We aimed to estimate the total cost to the Australian public health system of the treatment of complications following cosmetic breast augmentation. **Method**: Using the PRISMA 2009 statement, a systematic review was conducted to find articles reporting on complications following cosmetic breast augmentation. A quantitative analysis was performed to calculate overall complication rates. An economic cost analysis was performed on data from procedures performed in Australia between 2000–01 and 2014–15. We modelled costs to the public health system for this period and projected costs to the year 2030. **Results**: Thirty-nine articles were identified for inclusion in the quantitative analysis of complication rates following cosmetic breast augmentation. Economic modelling showed an estimated cost of over A$10 million just for surgeons’ and surgical assistants’ fees to treat complications between 2000 and 2015. We forecast over A$50 million for this cost over the subsequent fifteen years. Total health spending on complications is estimated to have been almost A$200 million between 2000 and 2015. **Conclusion**: This study illustrates the significant economic cost to the Australian health system created by complications following cosmetic breast augmentation. We believe this study reinforces the importance of the Australian breast device registry to further guide regulation, economic policy and health policy.
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spelling doaj-art-1d69aaa5be5149ebaeb75f6de0414cff2025-08-20T03:20:46ZengAustralian Society of Plastic SurgeonsAustralasian Journal of Plastic Surgery2209-170X2018-09-011210.34239/ajops.v1i2.120Cosmetic breast augmentation in Australia: a cost of complication studyGeorge S MillerSuzanne RobinsonChristopher M ReidDavid J Hunter-Smith**Background**: Treatment of complications from cosmetic breast augmentation is subsidised by government funding in Australia. We aimed to estimate the total cost to the Australian public health system of the treatment of complications following cosmetic breast augmentation. **Method**: Using the PRISMA 2009 statement, a systematic review was conducted to find articles reporting on complications following cosmetic breast augmentation. A quantitative analysis was performed to calculate overall complication rates. An economic cost analysis was performed on data from procedures performed in Australia between 2000–01 and 2014–15. We modelled costs to the public health system for this period and projected costs to the year 2030. **Results**: Thirty-nine articles were identified for inclusion in the quantitative analysis of complication rates following cosmetic breast augmentation. Economic modelling showed an estimated cost of over A$10 million just for surgeons’ and surgical assistants’ fees to treat complications between 2000 and 2015. We forecast over A$50 million for this cost over the subsequent fifteen years. Total health spending on complications is estimated to have been almost A$200 million between 2000 and 2015. **Conclusion**: This study illustrates the significant economic cost to the Australian health system created by complications following cosmetic breast augmentation. We believe this study reinforces the importance of the Australian breast device registry to further guide regulation, economic policy and health policy.https://doi.org/10.34239/ajops.v1i2.120
spellingShingle George S Miller
Suzanne Robinson
Christopher M Reid
David J Hunter-Smith
Cosmetic breast augmentation in Australia: a cost of complication study
Australasian Journal of Plastic Surgery
title Cosmetic breast augmentation in Australia: a cost of complication study
title_full Cosmetic breast augmentation in Australia: a cost of complication study
title_fullStr Cosmetic breast augmentation in Australia: a cost of complication study
title_full_unstemmed Cosmetic breast augmentation in Australia: a cost of complication study
title_short Cosmetic breast augmentation in Australia: a cost of complication study
title_sort cosmetic breast augmentation in australia a cost of complication study
url https://doi.org/10.34239/ajops.v1i2.120
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AT suzannerobinson cosmeticbreastaugmentationinaustraliaacostofcomplicationstudy
AT christophermreid cosmeticbreastaugmentationinaustraliaacostofcomplicationstudy
AT davidjhuntersmith cosmeticbreastaugmentationinaustraliaacostofcomplicationstudy