title: Three dimensional evaluation of facial asymmetry after mandibular reconstruction: validation of a new method using stereophotogrammetry.
abstract: The scientific literature is sparse on reports that evaluate facial asymmetry after mandibular reconstructive surgery objectively. The aim of this study is to introduce and validate a new method, using three dimensional (3D) stereophotogrammetry, that quantifies soft-tissue facial asymmetry in patients who have undergone mandibular reconstruction. To validate the new method, two observers applied the method on 3D photographs of five patients and five controls. An inter-observer difference of 0.04 mm (-0.08 to 0.17) was found with a measurement error of 0.13 mm. 15 3D photographs of the mandibular reconstructed patients were compared with 24 3D photographs of healthy controls. A significant difference (1.19 mm) in asymmetry was found between patients and controls. It is concluded that this new measuring method is a valid, fast and clinically applicable technique to quantify soft-tissue facial asymmetry. It is concluded that facial symmetry in patients is not restored to the level of the control group with the mandibular reconstruction method applied.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Radboud University, Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Verhoeven
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Coppen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barkhuysen
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Bronkhorst
authors.forename: M A W
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Merkx
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Bergé
authors.forename: T J J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Maal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D059925:Anatomic Landmarks / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D005143:Eyelids / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005145:Face; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005624:Frontal Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D063175:Mandibular Reconstruction / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D015588:Observer Variation; D010780:Photogrammetry / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult