A British man has died following complications during a hair transplant procedure in Istanbul, prompting Turkish authorities to launch an investigation into possible “reckless homicide”. Martyn Latchman, 38, became seriously unwell during the operation at Dr Cinik’s clinic in the city’s Besiktas district and was rushed to hospital where he later died.
The former assistant headteacher from Bridgend, who lived in Milton Keynes, had flown to Istanbul on Monday for what was meant to be a routine five-hour procedure costing £1,500 (equivalent to $1,875). According to Turkish outlet OdaTV, complications arose during the preparatory phase before the actual transplant began.
Police have questioned staff at the clinic, including the surgeon who was to perform the hair transplant, the anaesthesiologist and nurses, as officials investigate the circumstances surrounding the death. Mr Latchman’s body has undergone an autopsy at the Forensic Medicine Institute before being repatriated to the UK.
Clinic Disputes Initial Reports
Dr Cinik released a statement claiming the incident occurred before the hair transplant procedure had actually begun, contradicting initial reports. The clinic stated that Mr Latchman had undergone a successful procedure at their facility in July 2024 and was returning for a second treatment.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our patient,” Dr Cinik told the Daily Mail. “All necessary medical evaluations and tests were carried out thoroughly and without omission, including blood work, a chest X-ray and ECG.”
The clinic maintained that “immediate medical intervention was provided” when Mr Latchman became unwell, and he was “urgently transferred to a fully equipped university hospital” where he received intensive care treatment before dying that evening.
Family and Friends Pay Tribute
Heartbreaking tributes have poured in for Mr Latchman, described as a keen athlete and fitness enthusiast. His friend Yashley Latchman posted a photograph of them working out together in a gym, writing: “Rest in peace my brother. You will forever be my source of inspiration and motivation. Thanks for everything. We will miss you loads.”
Family members have turned their social media profiles black in mourning for Mr Latchman, who worked as a Private Defence Contractor in Northampton according to his LinkedIn profile. Between 2016 and 2024, he served as assistant headteacher at Goldington Academy, where he was also head of computer science.
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson confirmed: “We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Turkey and are in contact with the local authorities.”
Turkey’s Booming Hair Transplant Industry
The tragedy occurs against a backdrop of explosive growth in Turkey’s medical tourism sector, with the country now dominating nearly 60 per cent of the global hair transplant market. According to the Turkish Healthcare Travel Council, more than one million people travelled to Turkey in 2025 for hair restoration treatments, generating over £1.6 billion in revenue.
Dr Servet Terziler, head of the Turkish Health Tourism Association, revealed that hair transplantation services accounted for half of the country’s £3.2 billion medical tourism turnover in 2022. The average cost of £1,600 per procedure in Turkey compares favourably to prices of £8,000-£10,000 in the UK and up to £12,000 in the United States.
The Dr Cinik Clinic’s website boasts of treating “more than 50,000 patients” since its establishment nearly 20 years ago, claiming to offer “cutting-edge technology” and personalised care in English.
Growing Concerns Over Safety Standards
Despite Turkey’s reputation as a hair transplant destination, concerns persist about safety standards across the industry’s 350-plus clinics. The International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS) has warned that the rapid growth has led to quality control issues, with some facilities employing unlicensed technicians rather than qualified surgeons.
Ricardo Mejia, vice president of ISHRS, explained: “It’s like letting a medical assistant do a breast implant or face lift versus a doctor. The doctor is not to delegate surgical responsibilities to unlicensed medical assistants.”
Dr Ozlem Bicer, an ISHRS member operating in Istanbul, advises patients to avoid unlicensed clinics, warning they pose dangers beyond poor aesthetic results. Some Turkish clinics reportedly perform up to 50 surgeries daily, raising questions about quality and patient safety.
Previous Medical Tourism Tragedies
Mr Latchman’s death follows other high-profile cases of British citizens suffering complications from cosmetic procedures in Turkey. Last year, Anne Towlson, 58, from Leicestershire, died after a botched tummy tuck and liposuction at Green Park Hospital in Istanbul’s Pendik district.
Luke Horsfield, 26, from Bradford, was left scarred with bald patches after paying £1,250 for a hair transplant at Istanbul’s Clinic Centre. He claimed surgeons “barely spoke English” and removed too many follicles, leaving him worse off than before the procedure.
“I did everything they told me to do as aftercare once I had the operation. But after four months, I saw literally no growth,” the IT technician said. The clinic eventually offered him a £400 refund and a second procedure at half price.
Warning Signs for Medical Tourists
Hair transplant surgeon Mr Greg Williams warned about the risks of seeking treatment at budget clinics: “The main issue is that, at cheap clinics abroad and in the UK, the surgical steps of a hair transplant are often delegated to non-doctor, layperson technicians.”
He noted that some Turkish clinics operate on 50-70 patients daily, with technicians lacking the expertise to deliver consistent results. The Turkish Health Ministry has reportedly tightened inspections of unregistered clinics following complaints.
As medical tourism continues to boom, with 1.5 million health tourists visiting Turkey in 2023, experts urge prospective patients to thoroughly research clinics, verify surgeon credentials, and ensure proper safety protocols are in place before undergoing any procedure abroad.
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