In the first episode of the ESPRAS podcast, Professor Cenk Demirdöver, Secretary General of ESPRAS and immediate past President of the Turkish Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, discusses the rise of medical tourism in Turkey.
Please find here the link to our podcast. Enjoy listening!
#BetterTogetherInEurope
At ESPRAS, our ethos is ‘Better Together in Europe’, a mission echoed by our commitment to sharing information and details about national meetings in Europe. Our passion for knowledge exchange is unparalleled, and we value these meetings as fundamental to the academic conversation in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery.
The world is becoming increasing hybrid, with digital offerings of everything from teaching to networking. Whilst these methods undoubtedly offer great benefits, such as the ability to learn from international experts in the comfort of your home, we remain confident that face-to-face meetings and congresses give unrivalled value in the pursuit of knowledge exchange, and in the building of robust collaborative relationships. Interactivity is precisely the strength of surgical meetings and congresses, which provide not a passive lecture experience but a dynamic forum for learning, debate, and the exchange of ideas.
One such meeting was the 32nd European Course in Plastic Surgery, which was held in Croatia on November 12th – 14th, 2025 and brilliantly organised by our past president Rado Zic and his team. We were so confident in this course — which is specifically designed for trainees and young plastic surgeons — that we took the step of officially endorsing it and contributing to it. The educational value of the course went beyond that of simply delivering theory, extending into networking, and expert-led talks. This was against the beautiful backdrop of Zagreb, a rich cultural and historical setting, which only served to enhance this incredible event.
On behalf of ESPRAS we are pleased to announce that our next European leadership forum will be held as a hybrid meeting on the afternoon of 27th February 2026 with the in person section of the meeting Basel in Switzerland. The main topic of the forum will be Medical Tourism: Problems and Solutions. Please complete the questionnaire via the link below to contribute to the discussion and help us create solutions.
https://forms.gle/eYnRrhNwdgakZ3dc6
Looking further ahead into 2026, ESPRAS’s quadrennial congress will take place in Bern, Switzerland, on 3rd – 5th September 2026. This is our flagship event, taking place just once every four years, and is jointly hosted with Swiss Plastic Surgery. It represents the absolute pinnacle of knowledge exchange in the fields of European plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. Expect keynote lectures, instructional courses, breakout panels, interactive sessions and more.
But these events are not solely for learning. We are passionate advocates for networking as a catalyst for collaboration, and as such ensure that our congresses bring together surgeons, researchers, educators, and trainees in exciting and vibrant settings.
ESPRAS president, Mark Henley, says:
“ESPRAS brings together national societies, international experts and the next generation of surgeons in a way that strengthens our shared voice across Europe. ESPRAS forms the motor for these events and meetings, and I am so proud to be leading this society in bringing surgeons together to learn, meet, share, and grow.”
Please head to our website to find out more information about The European Congress for Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery Joint Meeting.
There are many more upcoming European events, which we share regularly on our social channels — please connect with us on Bluesky, LinkedIn, and Instagram and check out our feed/grid, stories, and highlights for more information. We are proud to provide a platform for the sharing of research, the demonstration of surgical innovation, and opening discussion around clinical experiences. If you have an upcoming European congress or meeting you would like us to share, please email details to newsletter@espras.org.
#BetterTogetherInEurope
“Plastic surgery has one of its roots in reconstruction after war injuries.” – Professor Riccardo Giunta.
With social media often equating plastic surgery with aesthetics, the public is often misled or misinformed about its roots and intentions. In reality, reconstructive plastic surgery was born from the need to reconstruct trauma injuries in World War One. Pioneers in this field include Gillies, McIndoe and Esser, each establishing techniques that have evolved over time, allowing for the continuing and growing expertise used today. Each conflict brings with it the need for the innovation of new techniques.
“The treatment of severely burned patients – a fundamental component of plastic surgery – led to the establishment of centres for severely burned patients for specialised plastic surgery treatment in Great Britain during the First World War,” explains Professor Giunta, Immediate Past President of ESPRAS. “In the following decades, centres for burn surgery were established throughout Europe, based on this model.”
The development of microsurgery, enabling microvascular procedures, spelled a fundamental shift in the treatment of conflict injuries, allowing for complex reconstructions following traumatic injury. Such procedures are spotlighted by Demmer et al. in their 2023 paper Multidrug-resistant bacterial colonisation in Ukrainian war injuries: a need for multimodal therapy1, referencing cases such as that of an 18-year-old soldier, who sustained a complex femoral blast injury in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Treated at Germany’s LMU Klinikum hospital, the patient underwent a chimeric double-barrel fibula free flap procedure. It is highly specialised microsurgical techniques such as these that the authors of the paper describe as ‘often indispensable’ in such cases.
Crucially, this shows that the treatment of traumatic injuries isn’t just about surgery. The golden thread is solidarity across European countries and collaboration between them, with the requirement for ‘indispensable’ microsurgical techniques running parallel with the need for cross-border collaboration, such as that seen in the Russia-Ukraine war. Since the start of the war, over 3,000 Ukrainian patients have been transferred to European hospitals.2 These hospitals, across 22 European countries, emphasise the cooperation among European countries throughout the EU’s solidarity mechanism.
Demmer et al. outline the processes and challenges involved in this collaborative effort:
‘Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, approximately 620 injured war victims have been treated in Germany. For the first time since World War II, German hospitals are confronted with the challenges and complications of war injuries on a larger scale. The injured soldiers receive primary care in Ukraine and are then transported to Germany for rehabilitation and definitive treatment.’
“The aim is that patients in conflict zones are able to access the skills of microsurgically experienced plastic surgeons,” continues Professor Giunta. “The advances we have made since World War One are remarkable, and they should be available to all victims of conflict.”
This need for the availability of techniques, and highly skilled surgeons, extends to war zones worldwide, with British consultant plastic surgeon, Miss Victoria Rose, compelled to deliver her microsurgical experience to complex trauma cases in Gaza after noticing the increasing trauma workload faced by colleagues since war broke out in October 2023.3 Miss Rose, whose main area of expertise is in complex microsurgical reconstruction, said in an interview:
“People think all we do is cosmetics […] Every single person bombed here benefits from a plastic surgeon even if just to remove shrapnel.”
Her words bring home the urgent need for access to the expertise of highly trained plastic surgeons in conflict zones, and that this expertise should not be limited by geography or infrastructure. “We are proud of our European colleagues and their tireless work, both in Europe and worldwide. In working together as a collaborative surgical community, we truly are aligning with ESPRAS’s mission statement of ‘Better Together`” concludes Professor Giunta.
References:
1 Demmer, W., Mesas, I., Wiggenhauser, P.S., Braig, D., Gilbert, F., & Giunta, R.E. (2023). Multiresistente Keimbesiedelung bei ukrainischen Kriegsverletzten: Notwendigkeit zur multimodalen Therapie [Multidrug-resistant bacterial colonisation in Ukrainian war injuries: a need for multimodal therapy]. Handchirurgie Mikrochirurgie Plastische Chirurgie, 55(6), 457–461. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2108-8978
In 2023, approximately 1.8 million people travelled to Türkiye (the official spelling of ‘Turkey’) as health tourists, an increase of over 157% on 2019.1 This boom in medical tourism, particularly to Türkiye, is visible across mainstream and social media: a quick search for ‘Turkey teeth’ yields images of smiling celebrities with perfectly white teeth, alongside hundreds of ads for ‘smile studios’ and cosmetic dental implant clinics. For people looking for that celebrity smile at a purse-friendly price, this may seem like the perfect option: beautiful results at a fraction of the cost, against the stunning backdrop of a holiday destination. What’s not to love? But behind the smiles lies a troubling truth.
“Inflation has made our prices very attractive for patients across Europe,” explains Professor Cenk Demirdöver, Secretary General of ESPRAS (the European Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery) and immediate past President of the Turkish Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. “Many people, motivated mostly by cost and the promise of a holiday, will fly a few hours for surgery.” But that’s where, for many, the benefits end. Stories of agencies mis-selling surgery by promising an eminent plastic surgeon not even on their books scuppers the most scrupulous of researchers. Others find themselves in the hands of non-plastic surgeons falsely claiming to be plastic surgeons; foreign surgeons operating without a working permit in Türkiye. Or inexperienced, newly qualified surgeons forced, by agency contract, to perform multiple procedures a day, such as tummy tuck, liposuction, and breast surgery, six days a week, whilst the agency syphons off most of the money. These agencies often make much more money than they pay the surgeon. “Agencies are driving the boom,” warns Professor Demirdöver, “but often at the cost of safety.”
The key is in checking that your surgeon is board-certified, and confirming their identity by requesting a consultation with the surgeon who will do your procedure before you commit. Using websites like the Turkish Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons ‘Find Your Plastic Surgeon’ tool will ensure your surgeon is board-certified and officially registered with the society.2 There are some clinics offering a high quality of medical service with exceptional care and management from start to finish. But unfortunately, there are others which prioritise profit over patient safety and experience, including trying to cut hotel costs by meeting patients at the airport, taking them straight to the theatre, and discharging them early to save on accommodation. “These clinics often won’t provide any meaningful aftercare, which should ring alarm bells,” says Professor Demirdöver. “Nobody should undergo any type of surgery the same day they land, nor should they be discharged without a robust aftercare appointment. It makes me sad that unscrupulous clinics are compromising patient health and safety, sometimes with tragic consequences.”
Every ‘botched’ cosmetic surgery costs the NHS around £15,000, with some cases costing up to £100,000. The number of Britons alone needing medical treatment or corrective surgery following procedures abroad has increased by 94% over the last three years.3 In Voices, a Turkish English-language newspaper, NHS consultant Dr Rajan Uppal estimates that the cumulative annual cost to the NHS of complications after surgical tourism is around £94 million.4 Furthermore, all fatalities resulting from complications from surgery last year had surgery in Türkiye.5 Fatalities from the past few years include Kaydell Brown, a 38-year-old British mother of two, who died after a Brazilian butt lift, tummy tuck and breast surgery in Istanbul.
Turkish Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons have earned and deserve their excellent worldwide reputation. However, with unscrupulous surgeons performing procedures unsafely, that reputation is rapidly becoming tarnished. Furthermore, publications have started to appear in scientific journals, attempting to discredit the reputation of all the plastic surgeons in the country. Regulation is one thing that could change all this: safeguarding both patients, and the reputations of legitimate and highly qualified surgeons. “There is an urgent requirement for robust Europe-wide regulation,” says Professor Demirdöver, continuing, “We’ve recently signed a joint statement with other associations to guide safe medical tourism. Organisations like ESPRAS and EBOPRAS have a role to play in setting standards and educating both surgeons and patients. We not only need to protect patients but also the National Health Services from the strain this issue is placing on it.”
Ethical practice always means putting patient safety first. As Professor Demirdöver concludes: “If a price looks too good to be true, it probably is. If you focus on quality, success follows. But, if you focus on cutting prices or increasing profit, everything suffers.”
References:
2 https://plastikcerrahi.org.tr/doctor-search
5 Ibid.
6 https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/29948630/brit-mum-dies-after-brazilian-bum-lift-surgery-turkey/
ESPRAS is a neutral society, committed to connections, collaboration and knowledge-sharing. For us as an organisation to connect with the most relevant audience possible, we utilise the incredible reach of social media. This allows us to view and share information and events in a way that was not possible just a few years ago. Our online presence matters to us, and to the European surgical community, and we use our social media platforms responsibly, constantly reviewing on which platforms we are well-placed, and where the conversations are happening.
To facilitate ongoing conversation, ESPRAS has decided to move from X to BlueSky. BlueSky is gaining popularity among medical and surgical professionals and institutions, and we feel it is where we are best placed to ensure we continue to be central to conversation about European surgery. BlueSky is community-driven and decentralised, not as algorithm-heavy as X, with notable organisations such as the European Medicines Agency having already made the transition over, and the European Federation of Journalists choosing to cease posting on X.
Moving away from X, where we have spent years building our following, initially felt like a big move. Our experience with BlueSky shows a positive and easy transition, better than anticipated (there are tools available to help transfer X followers/follows to BlueSky). Throughout this transition, we immediately noticed another obvious benefit of BlueSky in its use of starter packs. This resource allows you to search for relevant subjects, such as surgery, anaesthetists, etc., and follow multiple accounts with just one click. In following ‘packs’ of relevant accounts, you can instantly curate your feed, making growth and connection much easier than we thought!
Our initial impression of BlueSky is that it places authenticity and professional communities at its heart, which aligns with ESPRAS’s own values, which focus on accuracy and respectful exchanges. In hindsight, it is of no surprise that many of our peers have made the move, and we are very much hoping there are many more to follow.[1] The platform allows you to tweak settings: muting/blocking users, choosing who can quote and reply to content, muting words and tags, and choosing how to display your feed.
Consultant plastic surgeon and ESPRAS President, Mark Henley, says:
“The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and it is our job to keep up with it to ensure that the work of ESPRAS is central to conversation about European surgery. We are excited to be a part of a growing community of established professionals and societies.”
Of course, ESPRAS wishes to remain present in key professional conversations, and we have confidence that BlueSky can facilitate this for us. We continue to respect collaborative engagement, which aligns with the needs of the scientific and surgical communities. We will continue to share on Instagram and LinkedIn, and we encourage all to follow us on every platform to make the most of the resources we share. Head over to @espraseurope on BlueSky, and @espras_europe on Instagram and LinkedIn.
See you there!
[1] https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/xs-dominance-over-bluesky-becomes-new-hub-research
https://labhorizons.co.uk/2024/11/science-social-media-shift-from-x-to-bluesky-continues/
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-03784-6
https://www.digitalintervention.com/?p=268
The Exodus from X to Bluesky: Healthcare Professionals Leading the Shift
CUT AND RUN
The European Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (ESPRAS) Highlights Gen Z’s Worrying Exodus to Private Practice
London – 3 March, 2025 – A new study has highlighted the impact of Gen Z on the surgical workforce, who are driving a worrying change as they move away from reconstructive surgery in favour of lucrative opportunities in the aesthetics sector.
Gen Z are those born between 1997 and 2012, and are also known as digital natives due to growing up in the internet age. Being born at this time has driven some positive change, such as innovation in the operating theatre, including virtual reality simulations and AI diagnostic tools. However, alongside this, respondents to a survey distributed by the European Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (ESPRAS – http://www.espras.org) highlighted a trend in which Gen Z surgeons are favouring working in the private aesthetics sector over reconstructive surgery, raising concerns about workforce shortages in public healthcare.
The survey, which spans Europe and the United States, quizzed seven current and past leaders of international surgical societies on the challenges, opportunities, and structural changes needed to address the influence of Gen Z. It revealed that Gen Z are spearheading reduced working hours, enhanced work-life balance, and a decline in hierarchical mentorship with a move towards a more egalitarian and less formal relationship with superiors and peers. A change in working patterns, in particular, would spell a seismic shift in current working practices, potentially affecting trauma response.
More positive changes include reshaping a system that has punishing working hours and practices, advocating for better resources and infrastructure, embracing holistic patient care, driving efficiency, and pioneering the evolution of education and training.
Consultant plastic surgeon and ESPRAS President, Mark Henley, says:
“What Gen Z has shown us is that it’s time to overhaul the surgical landscape with a focus on balance and the wellbeing of our workforce. These trends, which on the face of it appear worrying, are actually pleas for an urgent review that considers the juxtaposition between providing a full service to patients and supporting colleagues in securing a well-balanced life. If we can address these growing needs, we are more likely to avoid the devastating impact of losing our talented surgeons to the aesthetics sector, instead providing a workplace that offers good work-life balance, and enhanced mentorship opportunities. This has multiple benefits, including the delivery of highest quality patient care.”
-ENDS-
About ESPRAS
The European Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (ESPRAS) (http://www.espras.org)
We are excited to be in the process of undergoing a digital transformation, including the launch of our new website and the continuing growth of our social media platforms.
As the umbrella for all European surgical societies, we are aware of the importance of being available and contactable via multiple channels, and ensuring our website is a hub of information and resources.
Our new website focuses on providing relevant content for users on a platform that is easy to navigate. We want our website to be the go-to for finding information on European surgical events and more, providing information to surgeons, societies and patients. Content is concise to maximise readability, and the website’s mobile-friendly interface lends itself to the busy lifestyle of our target users. As a centralised information hub, our site will gather and showcase information from national societies, linking to our social media channels for further reach. For patients, it offers resources that will help them find a board-certified plastic surgeon through European societies.
The best way to gather the information we need to share these events is via national societies, so please do get in touch via email or social media with your event details and news, including text and images you would like us to use. Additionally, you are welcome to tag us in your European surgical event stories on social media, and we will share those wherever relevant.
Social media plays a crucial role in our digital presence, and to that end, we have recently added a LinkedIn page which complements our Instagram and X accounts. Our online community is growing, and we would welcome your help to enable our further growth, so please follow us on all three platforms! This will also keep you up-to-date on upcoming events and European surgical news. Our current levels of engagement show that we have an active online community, and we are very keen to foster this further.
Our journey is just beginning, and we will revisit our strategies as we grow. This ongoing transformation demonstrates our commitment to community, whilst reflecting our determination to build a responsive online presence, serving as a hub for all European surgical societies, surgeons and patients alike.
Please follow us on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram to keep up-to-date with European surgical news and events.
Why is plastic surgery so popular in China?
Excellent podcast from @BBCSounds
#PlasticSurgery #China #ESPRAS #StrongerTogether
