Laser scanning of the ear identifying the shape and position in subjects with normal facial symmetry.

The objective of the present study was to discover if dimensional measurements of the ear could be determined with a laser scanning technique and whether or not the location of landmarks of the ear could be reliably measured with respect to those on the midline of the face. Computer-generated images were created from laser scans of 20 subjects. Dimensional measurements were made between landmarks on the ear and face. Differences between repeated dimensional measurements of the ear were very small, as were those measurements made between landmarks on the ear to the midline of the face. Differences between dimensions of the left and right ears were observed, but were of a small magnitude. The results suggest that the dimensions of the ear and its position with respect to landmarks in the midline of the face can be reliably measured on normal subjects and that laser scanning is a useful technique for planning and monitoring facial reconstruction of the ear.