title: The use of a breast symmetry index for objective evaluation of breast cosmesis.
abstract: The cosmetic result after breast surgery is an important marker in clinical studies. Most authors used subjective scales to judge breast cosmesis. However, inter-observer discrepancies are very high and the use of such subjective scales for prospective trials is highly disputed. In this study we present for the first time a new invented breast symmetry index (BSI). This BSI is calculated by subtracting the size and the shape between both breasts (frontal view and side view). The BSI is measured with a software system called breast analysing tool (BAT) from digital photographs. The photographs of 27 patients have been analysed with this software by different physicians to evolve inter-observer reproducibility. The Harris scale for subjective cosmetic analyses has been correlated with the BSI. In our study the inter-observer reproducibility was excellent (Pearson correlation r=0.9; p<0.05) and the BSI was able to significantly differentiate between good and bad cosmesis (BSI values from 0%d to 30%d is good, BSI>30%d is bad cosmesis). Thus the BSI may be used for clinical studies.
authors: Department of Surgery, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria. florian.fitzal@meduniwien.ac.at
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Fitzal
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Krois
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Trischler
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Wutzel
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Riedl
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Kühbelböck
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Wintersteiner
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Cardoso
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Dubsky
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Gnant
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Jakesz
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Wild
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D010781:Photography; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012649:Self Concept; D012984:Software