Virtual 3-dimensional modeling as a valuable adjunct to aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery

doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2006.06.026

The American Journal of Surgery

Volume 192, Issue 4, October 2006, Pages 548-551

Presented at the 7th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Breast Surgeons, Baltimore, Maryland, April 5–9, 2006

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2006.06.026 Get rights and content

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) imaging technology currently is used by various commercial industries as a method for analyzing objects and shapes. Recent work from our group and others offer data to support the use of 3D imaging as a valuable tool in aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery. We have developed a system for creating 3D breast models that provides clinical data that can help guide surgical management. With 3D breast models, surgeons are able to visually assess the size, shape, contour, and symmetry of the breast, as well as obtain quantitative breast measurements and volumetric calculations. Three-dimensional imaging may be applied to various plastic surgery procedures including breast reconstruction with implant/tissue expanders, local flap reconstruction, free-flap reconstruction, breast augmentation, and breast reduction surgery. The novel application of 3D imaging in these settings represents a significant advance from traditional approaches to aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery in which surgical procedures are based on 2-dimensional photographs and visual size estimates.

Section snippets

Three-dimensional hardware

A number of different 3D imaging systems are available to consumers today, most are based on either laser scanning, stereophotogrammetry, or a combination of both. The methodology of stereophotogrammetry resembles that of human eye physiology, in which depth perception is achieved by 2 eyes that perceive the same image from slightly different views. With stereophotogrammetry, paired cameras rely on the triangulation of disparate images to produce depth values, and corresponding images are then

Breast reconstruction surgery

As the incidence of breast cancer continues to increase, breast reconstruction continues to play an integral role in breast cancer treatment. In the year 2004 alone, an estimated 63,000 women underwent reconstructive breast surgery in the United States (www.plasticsurgery.org). Despite significant progress in techniques and surgical options for breast reconstruction, one obstacle that continues to limit the overall success of breast reconstruction is the inability of plastic surgeons to

Conclusions

We believe 3D imaging can serve as a valuable tool for various types of breast surgery, including breast reconstruction with implant/tissue expanders, local flap reconstruction, free-flap reconstruction, breast augmentation, and breast-reduction surgery. In each of these clinical scenarios, 3D analysis provides volumetric data that is of unique value for surgical planning and postoperative analysis.

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Citation Excerpt :
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PresentationVirtual 3-dimensional modeling as a valuable adjunct to aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery

Abstract

Section snippets

Three-dimensional hardware

Breast reconstruction surgery

Conclusions

Clinical applications of three-dimensional photography in breast surgery

Plast Reconstr Surg

Human body 3D imaging by specke texture projection photogrammetry

Sensor Review

Surface scanning soft tissues

Stud Health Technol Inform

Presentation
Virtual 3-dimensional modeling as a valuable adjunct to aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery