title: Preoperative digital three-dimensional planning for rhinoplasty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This report describes preoperative digital planning for rhinoplasty using a new three-dimensional (3D) radiologic viewer that allows both patients and surgeons to visualize on a common monitor the 3D real aspect of the nose in its inner and outer sides.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the period 2002 to 2008, 210 patients underwent rhinoplasty procedures in the authors' clinic. The patients were randomly divided into three groups according to the type of preoperative planning used: photos only, a simulated result by Adobe Photoshop, or the 3D radiologic viewer. The parameters evaluated included the number of patients that underwent surgery after the first consultation, the number of patients who asked for a reintervention, patient satisfaction (according to a test given to the patients 12 months postoperatively), the surgical time required for a functional intervention, and the improvement in nasal function by postoperative rhinomanometry and subjective evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Computer-aided technologies led to a higher number of patients deciding to undergo a rhinoplasty. Simulation of the postoperative results was not as useful in the postoperative period due to the higher number of reintervention requests.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The patients undergoing rhinoplasties preferred new technologies in the preoperative period. The advantages of using the 3D radiologic viewer included improved preoperative planning, reduction in intraoperative stress, a higher number of patients undergoing surgery, reduction in postoperative surgical corrections, reduction in surgical time for the functional intervention, a higher rate of improvement in nasal function, a higher percentage of postoperative satisfaction, and reduced costs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Centro Médico Teknon, Vilana 12, Barcelona, Spain. fabriziomoscatiello@gmail.com
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Moscatiello
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Herrero Jover
authors.forename: Miguel Angel
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: González Ballester
authors.forename: Encarna
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carreño Hernández
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Piombino
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Califano
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D010934:Planning Techniques; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D025363:Rhinomanometry / Q000379:methods; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted