CC BY 4.0 · Surg J (N Y) 2021; 07(04): e322-e326
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1739117
Original Article

Preoperative Imaging and Online Photo Galleries: The #Key to Surgical Commitment

1   Givens Facial Plastic Surgery - Facial Plastic Surgery, Austin, Texas
,
Stephen W. Perkins
2   Meridian Plastic Surgery Center, Facial Plastic Surgery, Indianapolis, Indiana
› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Importance Preoperative imaging provides an advantageous balance by helping patients to effectively communicate their aesthetic desires while allowing surgeons to establish realistic expectations of surgical outcomes.

Objective To determine the role of preoperative imaging and the importance of online-based photo galleries in influencing a patient's decision to pursue cosmetic facial plastic surgery.

Design, Setting, and Participants A retrospective study was conducted on 100 patients who underwent preoperative imaging prior to undergoing aesthetic facial plastic surgery from July 2019 to May 2020. An in-office physician-led clinical consultation followed by a preoperative imaging session was performed on each patient prior to surgical intervention. A 6-question survey was provided once to all patients between their 3- and 12-month postoperative time periods.

Main Outcomes and Measures The importance of preoperative imaging and the influence of physician website and social media photo galleries regarding surgical decision-making was evaluated.

Results A total of 100 participants (female [90; 90%]) and mean age 52.6 (range, 18–77) years were included. Nearly 60% of patients underwent facial rejuvenation procedures. All reported that preoperative in-office physician consultation in combination with the use of preoperative imaging were helpful in facilitating a commitment to surgical intervention. Sixty-nine (69%) patients endorsed the use of both the frontal and lateral imaging views, while 30 (30%) deemed a single angle to be superior. Seventy (70%) participants utilized online-based “before & after” photo galleries in the form of physician websites and/or social media platforms to assist in their decision to undergo surgical intervention.

Conclusions and Relevance The combination of in-office physician consultation, preoperative imaging, and availability of website and/or social media photo galleries plays a key role in a patient's decision to pursue cosmetic surgery. Thus, implementation of all facets should become an integral part of any facial plastic surgeon's aesthetic practice.



Publication History

Received: 09 March 2021

Accepted: 22 September 2021

Article published online:
15 December 2021

© 2021. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA

 
  • References

  • 1 Goffart Y. Morphing in rhinoplasty: predictive accuracy and reasons for use. B-ENT 2010; 6 (Suppl. 15) 13-19
  • 2 Lekakis G, Claes P, Hamilton III GS, Hellings PW. Evolution of preoperative rhinoplasty consult by computer imaging. Facial Plast Surg 2016; 32 (01) 80-87
  • 3 Lekakis G, Claes P, Hamilton III GS, Hellings PW. Three-dimensional surface imaging and the continuous evolution of preoperative and postoperative assessment in rhinoplasty. Facial Plast Surg 2016; 32 (01) 88-94
  • 4 Lekakis G, Sykes J, Hens G, Hellings PW. Morphing as a selection tool in the rhinoplasty consult: a cross-sectional study. Facial Plast Surg 2020; 36 (01) 112-119
  • 5 Mehta U, Mazhar K, Frankel AS. Accuracy of preoperative computer imaging in rhinoplasty. Arch Facial Plast Surg 2010; 12 (06) 394-398