Cautionary Tale: British Man Dies After Hair-Transplant Trip to Turkey

What happened?

On July 29, 2025, Martyn Latchman, a 38-year-old teacher-turned-defense-contractor from Milton Keynes, England, collapsed while being prepped for a second hair-transplant procedure at the well-known Dr. Cinik clinic in Istanbul. Staff rushed him to a university hospital, but he died later that evening. Turkish health authorities have opened a formal investigation and ordered an autopsy, while the U.K. Foreign Office is assisting his family.

What happened?

On July 29, 2025, Martyn Latchman, a 38-year-old teacher-turned-defense-contractor from Milton Keynes, England, collapsed while being prepped for a second hair-transplant procedure at the well-known Dr. Cinik clinic in Istanbul. Staff rushed him to a university hospital, but he died later that evening. Turkish health authorities have opened a formal investigation and ordered an autopsy, while the U.K. Foreign Office is assisting his family.

Latchman had undergone a successful transplant at the same clinic the year before. According to the clinic, he cleared repeat blood work, chest X-ray and ECG on the morning of surgery, and an anesthesiologist was present during preparation.

Key Takeaways

  • Tragic incident in Istanbul: British patient Martyn Latchman, 38, became suddenly ill while being prepped for a second hair-transplant at the Dr. Cinik clinic and died later that day; Turkish authorities have ordered an autopsy and opened a formal investigation. People.co

  • Pre-op clearance isn’t fool-proof: Latchman had cleared repeat labs, chest X-ray, ECG and anesthesiology review on the morning of surgery, underscoring that life-threatening events can still arise even after “normal” test results. People.com

  • Turkey’s medical-tourism boom: Roughly 1 million people travel to Turkey each year for procedures like hair restoration, lured by package pricing and clinics that tout celebrity clientele. People.com

  • Regulatory gaps heighten risk: The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery warns that some overseas clinics delegate key surgical steps to unlicensed technicians, creating a “black-market” environment with higher complication rates. ISHRS

  • Due-diligence checklist for patients: Verify the surgeon’s board certification, confirm who performs every step of the procedure, insist on continuous anesthesia monitoring and written emergency protocols, and arrange qualified follow-up care before committing to surgery abroad.

  • Safer domestic alternatives exist: Accredited, physician-led facilities that offer comprehensive pre-op screening and structured, in-person follow-up (like Leva Medical) can deliver hair-restoration results without the added risks of long-distance medical tourism.

Why Turkey draws so many hair-transplant tourists

  • Price: Packages that bundle airfare, hotel and surgery can cost a quarter of U.S. or U.K. fees.

  • Volume & marketing: The Turkish Healthcare Travel Council estimates that roughly 1 million people travel to the country for medical procedures each year, many for hair restoration.

  • Perception of expertise: Well-publicized celebrity clients and social-media “before & after” reels foster the belief that Istanbul is the global capital of hair surgery.

The risks medical-tourism ads leave out

  • Variable regulation & enforcement – The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) warned in 2016 that some Turkish “black-market” clinics let unlicensed technicians—not doctors—perform critical parts of the surgery.

  • Anesthesia complications far from home – Even “minor” cosmetic procedures use drugs that can trigger sudden cardiac, lung, or allergic events; fast transfer to an ICU can be slowed by language barriers and unfamiliar protocols.

  • Limited legal recourse – Malpractice laws and insurance requirements vary by country, so pursuing compensation abroad is complex, costly, and often unsuccessful.

  • Travel amplifies medical risk – Long flights soon after surgery increase the risk of blood clots and make timely, in-person follow-up care much harder.

Last Updated: Aug 5, 2025

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Last Updated: Aug 5, 2025

FAQs

What happened to Martyn Latchman in Turkey?
The 38-year-old Briton suffered a sudden medical emergency while being prepped for a second hair-transplant at the Dr. Cinik clinic in Istanbul and died later that day. Turkish health officials have opened an investigation and ordered an autopsy.
How popular is Turkey for hair-transplant tourism?
Turkey attracts about one million visitors a year for hair-restoration surgery, generating roughly $2 billion in revenue. 
Why are procedures there so inexpensive?
Lower labor costs, currency exchange advantages, and package deals that bundle hotel, transport, and surgery let clinics advertise prices as low as one-quarter of U.S./U.K. fees.
Who actually performs the surgery in some overseas clinics?
The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) warns that certain “black-market” facilities delegate critical steps—graft harvesting, dissection, and implantation—to unlicensed technicians rather than physicians, which is illegal in many countries.
What specific risks should patients know about?
• Anesthesia complications: Even local anesthesia can trigger cardiac, pulmonary, or allergic crises; rapid ICU transfer may be slowed by language or protocol differences.
• Infection & poor graft survival: Non-sterile technique and over-harvesting can lead to scarring, necrosis, or permanent shock loss.
• Legal & financial exposure: Malpractice laws abroad differ, making compensation claims difficult and costly.
Is it safe to fly home soon after surgery?
Long-haul flights within days of an operation raise the risk of blood clots (DVT) and leave no margin for in-person follow-up if swelling, bleeding, or infection develops.
How can I check a surgeon’s credentials?
Look for board certification in dermatology, plastic surgery, or hair-restoration–specific bodies (e.g., ABHRS, ISHRS). Verify that the doctor, not a technician, will perform every surgical step, and request this in writing.

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