Does respiration influence breast volumetric change measurement with the three-dimensional scanning technique?

BACKGROUND

Measurement of volumetric change after aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery is of great significance to plastic surgeons. This study aimed to investigate the influence of respiration on measurement of breast volumetric change via a three-dimensional (3D) scanning technique.

METHODS

In this study, ten augmentation mammaplasty patients received preoperative 3D scanning in different respiration states at three time points: the end of normal exhalation (ENE1), the end of normal inhalation (ENI), and the end of normal exhalation again (ENE2). Using Geomagic Studio 12 software, breast volumetric change error (BVCE) was measured between the ENE1 scan and the ENI scan (R1) and between the ENE1 scan and ENE2 scan (R2). Three-dimensional deviation, defined as the shortest distance from one scan to any point on the other scan, was measured in R1 and R2. A paired-sample t test was used to compare the means of BVCE and the 3D deviation between R1 and R2. Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated between 3D deviation and BVCE. For the analysis, SPSS program version 16 was used. Differences were considered statistically significant at P values lower than 0.05.

RESULTS

The mean breast volume was 352.3 ± 52.7 ml, and BVCE was significantly lower in R1 than in R2 (9.7 vs. 21.3 ml; P = 0.000). The 3D deviation was significantly higher in R2 than in R1 (1.600 vs. 0.887; P = 0.000). In the analysis, BVCE was not correlated significantly with 3D deviation in R1 (P = 0.157) but was significantly correlated with 3D deviation in R2 (correlation coefficient = 0.766; P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONS

Keeping patients in the same respiration state is crucial for accurate measurement of breast volumetric change via the 3D scanning technique.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE I

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