Performing Distance Measurements in Curved Facial Regions: A Comparison between Three-Dimensional Surface Scanning and Ultrasound Imaging

Abstract

Facial flap surgery depends strongly on thorough preoperative planning and precise surgical performance. To increase the dimensional accuracy of transferred facial flaps, the methods of ultrasound and three-dimensional (3D) surface scanning offer great possibilities. This study aimed to compare different methods of measuring distances in the facial region and where they can be used reliably. The study population consisted of 20 volunteers (10 males and 10 females) with a mean age of 26.7 ± 7.2 years and a mean body mass index of 22.6 ± 2.2 kg/m². Adhesives with a standardized length of 20 mm were measured in various facial regions through ultrasound and 3D surface scans, and the results were compared. Regardless of the facial region, the mean length measured through ultrasound was 18.83 mm, whereas it was 19.89 mm for 3D surface scans, with both p < 0.0001. Thus, the mean difference was 1.17 mm for ultrasound measurements and 0.11 mm for 3D surface scans. Curved facial regions show a great complexity when it comes to measuring distances due to the concavity and convexity of the face. Distance measurements through 3D surface scanning showed more accurate distances than the ultrasound measurement. Especially in “complex” facial regions (e.g., glabella region and labiomental sulcus), the 3D surface scanning showed clear advantages.

Keywords

ultrasound imaging - 3D surface scanning - facial anatomy - facial analysis

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
11. März 2021

• References

• 1 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Plastic Surgery Statistics Report. Accessed August 15, 2020 at: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2019/plastic-surgery-statistics-full-report-2019.pdf
• 2 Ehrl D, Rentsch M, Moellhoff N, Wachtel N. Complex microsurgical perineal reconstruction after resection of a giant verrucous carcinoma associated with anal fistulas in Crohn's disease-a unique case report. Int J Colorectal Dis 2020; 35 (07) 1337-1341
• 3 Ehrl D, Brueggemann A, Broer PN, Koban K, Giunta R, Thon N. Scalp reconstruction after malignant tumor resection: an analysis and algorithm. J Neurol Surg B Skull Base 2020; 81 (02) 149-157
• 4 Ehrl D, Heidekrueger PI, Schmitt A. et al. The anterolateral thigh flap for Achilles tendon reconstruction: functional outcomes. Plast Reconstr Surg 2019; 143 (06) 1772-1783
• 5 Broer PN, Moellhoff N, Mayer JM, Heidekrueger PI, Ninkovic M, Ehrl D. Comparison of outcomes of end-to-end versus end-to-side anastomoses in lower extremity free flap reconstructions. J Reconstr Microsurg 2020; 36 (06) 432-437
• 6 Prantl L, Moellhoff N, Fritschen UV. et al. Impact of smoking status in free deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap breast reconstruction: a multicenter study. J Reconstr Microsurg 2020; 36 (09) 694-702
• 7 Behan FC. The keystone design perforator island flap in reconstructive surgery. ANZ J Surg 2003; 73 (03) 112-120
• 8 Homsy C, McCarthy ME, Lim S, Lindsey Jr JT, Sands TT, Lindsey Sr JT. Portable color-flow ultrasound facilitates precision flap planning and perforator selection in reconstructive plastic surgery. Ann Plast Surg 2020; 84 (6S, Suppl 5): S424-S430
• 9 Koban KC, Cotofana S, Frank K. et al. Precision in 3-dimensional surface imaging of the face: a handheld scanner comparison performed in a cadaveric model. Aesthet Surg J 2019; 39 (04) NP36-NP44
• 10 Cotofana S, Koban K, Pavicic T. et al. Clinical validation of the surface volume coefficient for minimally invasive treatment of the temple. J Drugs Dermatol 2019; 18 (06) 533
• 11 Koban KC, Härtnagl F, Titze V, Schenck TL, Giunta RE. Chances and limitations of a low-cost mobile 3D scanner for breast imaging in comparison to an established 3D photogrammetric system. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2018; 71 (10) 1417-1423
• 12 Koban KC, Leitsch S, Holzbach T, Volkmer E, Metz PM, Giunta RE. 3D Bilderfassung und Analyse in der Plastischen Chirurgie mit Smartphone und Tablet: eine Alternative zu professionellen Systemen?. Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir 2014; 46 (02) 97-104
• 13 Koban KC, Frank K, Etzel L, Schenck TL, Giunta RE. 3D mammometric changes in the treatment of idiopathic gynecomastia. Aesthetic Plast Surg 2019; 43 (03) 616-624
• 14 World Medical Association. WMA Declaration of Helsinki – Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects. Accessed August 5, 2018 at: https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-declaration-of-helsinki-ethical-principles-for-medical-research-involving-human-subjects/
• 15 Cotofana S, Alfertshofer M, Schenck TL. et al. Anatomy of the superior and inferior labial arteries revised: an ultrasound investigation and implication for lip volumization. Aesthet Surg J 2020; sjaa137
• 16 Cotofana S, Hexsel D, Avelar LET. et al. Calculating the thickness of the superficial fatty layer of the body using age, gender, and body mass index. J Drugs Dermatol 2020; 19 (01) 36-44
• 17 Casabona G, Frank K, Koban KC. et al. Influence of age, sex, and body mass index on the depth of the superficial fascia in the face and neck. Dermatol Surg 2019; 45 (11) 1365-1373
• 18 Casabona G, Frank K, Koban KC. et al. Influences of age, gender, and body mass index on the depth of the superficial fascia of the arm and thigh. Dermatol Surg 2019; (e-pub ahead of print)
• 19 Frank K, Hamade H, Casabona G. et al. Influences of age, gender, and body mass index on the thickness of the abdominal fatty layers and its relevance for abdominal liposuction and abdominoplasty. Aesthet Surg J 2019; 39 (10) 1085-1093
• 20 Frank K, Casabona G, Gotkin RH. et al. Influence of age, sex, and body mass index on the thickness of the gluteal subcutaneous fat: implications for safe buttock augmentation procedures. Plast Reconstr Surg 2019; 144 (01) 83-92
• 21 Frank K, Englbrecht M, Koban KC. et al. Nerve transfer of the anterior interosseous nerve to the thenar branch of the median nerve - an anatomical and histological analysis. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2019; 72 (05) 751-758
• 22 Lockwood T. High-lateral-tension abdominoplasty with superficial fascial system suspension. Plast Reconstr Surg 1995; 96 (03) 603-615
• 23 Othman SA, Saffai L, Wan Hassan WN. Validity and reproducibility of the 3D VECTRA photogrammetric surface imaging system for the maxillofacial anthropometric measurement on cleft patients. Clin Oral Investig 2020; 24 (08) 2853-2866