Breast asymmetry: a new vision of this malformation.
Breast asymmetry is defined as a difference of form, position or volume of the breast and is a pathology affecting over half of the female population (1, 4). Fortunately although it is very frequent, surgical correction is seldom necessary. The authors present the results of the surgical treatment of 73 patients affected with breast asymmetry and they describe the employment of a new instrumental method (SCAN-3D) that may be used both within the correction program and during the follow-up of the surgical treatment. The system involves the use of a laser to scan the surface to be acquired and by the subsequent analysis of the image produced by the overlap of itself with the area under examination, by utilising specific software, we retrieve information regarding both the morphologic and volumetric connections in all three dimensions. The employment of new research methods (Three-dimensional scanning) is an important aid to the aesthetic surgeon, as it allows the study of the mammary glands morpho-volumetric component in relation to the rest of the thorax. Moreover, in the future, the custom production of breast implants, made to measure, and perfectly adaptable to the deformity of each patient may be possible.
Department of Dermatology and Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
M G
MG
Onesti
P
P
Mezzana
A
A
Martano
N
N
Scuderi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001940:Breast / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged