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Background: The use of three-dimensional photography to assess pre- and post-operative breast morphology has been reported. This technology also has potential applications for body contouring, but a valid system for data acquisition and analysis has yet to be established. The following study reports the use of 3D imaging to define a standardized protocol to assess post-surgical changes in abdominal shape and contour. The modus operandi was used to analyze results of abdominoplasty, abdominal liposuction, DIEP flap, and free TRAM breast reconstruction. Each patient was followed for several months and the results are presented in this paper.
Methods: Circumferential 3D images were obtained from 20 patients undergoing abdominal procedures affecting abdominal contour, metrics, and volume. Images were acquired using the 5-camera Canfield Vectra system and surface scans were analyzed using Geomagic CAD software. Pre- and post-operative images were aligned and three 2D sections were constructed throughout the patient’s abdomen corresponding to body landmark including the xiphoid process, pubic symphysis, and the midpoint between them. The Anterior -Posterior (A-P) distance was calculated on each section and abdominal volume was found for every image. We also define three new parameters including maximal width, right and left flank angle, and protrusion angle (abdominal flatness). Average rates of each parameter change were calculated.
Results: Abdominoplastly showed the most dramatic results with an average volume reduction of 33% and an A-P diameter reduction of 10%. Patients receiving liposuction demonstrated an average volume reduction of 25% and average A-P diameter reduction of 8%. Free TRAM reconstruction showed an average reduction in volume of 26% and an average A-P distance reduction of 6%. Patients receiving DIEP flap reconstruction demonstrated the smallest average volume reduction of 22% and an average A-P distance reduction of 4%. There was no significant difference across all procedures when comparing flank angle, protrusion angle, and maximal width.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates that circumferential 3D body scanning and analysis are possible. Specifically, the data suggests Abdominoplastly results in the greatest volume reduction compared to all other procedures. Free TRAM reconstruction results in a greater volume and AP distance reduction compared to DIEP flap reconstruction. Further studies are needed to compare various approaches to body contouring utilized today and to follow the patients longitudinally to assess the effectiveness of various procedures. Calculating and analyzing abdominal parameters can serve as the foundation for a more objective approach to evaluating abdominal contouring procedures.