3DBODY.TECH 2017 - Paper 17.239

D. B. Stefan and D. A. Gilbert, "A Survey of Measurement Templates Used for Assessing Pre-Operative Body Contours and Evaluating Cosmetic Surgery Results Using a 3D Whole-Body Scanner", in Proc. of 3DBODY.TECH 2017 - 8th Int. Conf. and Exh. on 3D Body Scanning and Processing Technologies, Montreal QC, Canada, 11-12 Oct. 2017, pp. 239-262, https://doi.org/10.15221/17.239.

Title:

A Survey of Measurement Templates Used for Assessing Pre-Operative Body Contours and Evaluating Cosmetic Surgery Results Using a 3D Whole-Body Scanner

Authors:

David B. STEFAN 1, David A. GILBERT 2

1 Novaptus Systems Inc., Chesapeake VA, USA;
2 The Hague Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Center, Norfolk VA, USA

Abstract:

Background A 3D whole-body scanner has been utilized at a cosmetic surgery practice in Norfolk, Virginia since 2002. Pre-operative and post-operative scans have been taken of many patients that have undergone various cosmetic surgical procedures. Through trial, error and analysis, various measurement templates have been designed as an aid for the surgeon to assess the pre-operative body contours and to evaluate the post-operative results of common cosmetic procedures. This paper presents measurement templates that have been found to be useful for breast augmentation, breast reduction, abdominoplasty and thigh-lift surgical procedures.

Methods
Manual measurements have traditionally been used to evaluate the body contours of the pre-operative patient. These are typically of linear and circumferential nature. Many of the manual measurements made by the surgeon are replicated within the scanner measurement software. These can be selected and programmed into a measurement template, which can then be applied to the patient's 3D body model to automatically extract the desired information. The scanner measurement software can produce multidimensional measurement information such as surface area and volume. Such measurement tools were previously unavailable. There are many measurements provided by scanning software that are beneficial to enhance the pre-operative evaluation, perhaps too many. These include linear contours, the height of certain measurements and uncommon circumferential measurements. The measurement templates presented are a result of experience. Case 1 and Case 2 detail the measurement template used for evaluating breast augmentation and breast reduction procedures. Case 3 is an example of the measurement template used for evaluating an abdominoplasty procedure. The measurements utilized for abdominoplasty center around the mid-section of the body. Case 4 is an example of the template used for evaluating a thigh-lift. The measurements utilized are focused on the lower half of the body.

Discussion
Applying procedure-specific measurements to a pre-operative 3D body scan can help detect and quantify existing asymmetries. These asymmetries may be corrected during the surgical procedure through proper planning. Breast augmentation, reduction, abdominoplasty and thigh-lift surgical procedures have immediate impact on the body. These changes can be measured longitudinally as patients return for post-operative visits. The effects of edema (swelling) can be documented with each post-operative 3D body scan. The edema usually abates within six months and the 3D body scans thereafter can be compared with the pre-operative 3D body scan to quantify the physical changes brought about by the surgical procedure. Changes in volume can be reviewed against the weight of the actual amount of tissue removed in cases of breast reduction, thigh lift, or abdominoplasty. In the case of breast augmentation, changes in post-operative bust volume can be compared to the size of the breast implants inserted.

Conclusion
The measurement templates used to document the cosmetic surgical procedures discussed have evolved over time. They are in no way final or complete, but they have added considerable multidimensional insight into evaluating pre-operative body contours and documenting any pre-existing asymmetric conditions. Applying these templates to post-operative 3D body scans quantifies the physical changes brought by the surgical procedure, including the correction of detected asymmetries. Moreover, the series of pre-operative and post-operative 3D body scans form the patient's 3D digital archive. As new measurements are added to the existing measurement templates, they can be applied to 3D body models of past surgical procedures for investigation and validation.

Details:

Full paper: 17.239.pdf
Proceedings: 3DBODY.TECH 2017, 11-12 Oct. 2017, Montreal QC, Canada
Pages: 239-262
DOI: 10.15221/17.239

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Proceedings of 3DBODY.TECH International Conferences on 3D Body Scanning & Processing Technologies, © Hometrica Consulting, Switzerland