British hair transplant patient dies in Turkey
The man, identified as Martyn Latchman, 38, fell ill during the preparatory phase of the operation, and died at a nearby hospital in Istanbul
A UK citizen, Martyn Latchman, aged 38, has died after travelling to Turkey for a hair transplant operation at a private clinic in Istanbul.
The clinic was named by Turkish media outlet Odatv as Dr Cinik, located in the city’s Besiktas area.
The patient reportedly became unwell during the preparatory phase of the hair surgery, and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was treated in an intensive care unit, before dying.
His body later underwent an official autopsy, before being transported back to the UK.
An investigation has now been launched into the cause of death, with a potential charge of “reckless homicide” reportedly being considered.
The clinic states that proper procedure was followed
A statement from the hair clinic in response to the incident said that Latchman had visited the clinic last year for a successful hair transplant, and that he had returned for a second procedure.
“Prior to the second operation, all necessary medical evaluations and tests (including blood work, chest X-ray, ECG, etc) were carried out thoroughly and without omission, just as they were during the first procedure,” the clinic said. “These assessments were conducted under the supervision of an anaesthesiologist, and the patient was cleared for surgery.”
It continued: “However, before the hair transplant procedure began and during the preparatory phase, the patient unexpectedly became unwell for reasons that are still unknown. Immediate medical intervention was provided, and he was urgently transferred to a fully equipped university hospital. Despite ongoing intensive care treatment throughout the day, the patient sadly passed away later that evening.”
The clinic added that all medical documentation relating to the incident has been submitted to the appropriate authorities, and denied reports that Latchman died during the procedure, or that the operation was interrupted.
Turkey is a popular destination for medical tourists seeking lower-cost cosmetic procedures.
Another UK citizen died last month while white-water rafting in the French Alps.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor for Voyageur Group, joining in 2021. He writes for both ITIJ and AirMed&Rescue, covering a range of topics including international travel and health insurance, medical assistance provision and air medical transportation. He also serves as Title Editor of the Assistance & Repatriation Reviews. Oliver holds an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University, as well as a BA in English with Creative Writing from Falmouth University.