title: Computer-Aided Analysis of the "Beautiful" Umbilicus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The position, shape, size, and depth of the umbilicus influence the overall aesthetics of the abdomen. Hence, umbilicoplasty is a common adjunct to aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the abdominal wall. Delineation of the position and shape of the "beautiful" umbilicus can aid in the planning of abdominoplasty and lipoabdominoplasty.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The authors aimed to identify key parameters of the beautiful umbilicus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Previously, the authors developed software (the Aesthetic Analyzer) for marking and analyzing parameters from images of the nose, breast, and umbilicus. In the present study, the Aesthetic Analyzer was utilized to determine parameters of the beautiful umbilicus from images of 37 Playboy playmates. The vertical position, horizontal position, length, and shape of the umbilicus were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on these images, the beautiful umbilicus possesses the following properties: a vertical ratio of 46:54 (with respect to the xiphoid process and lower limit of the vulvar cleft), a midline horizontal position, a length that is 5% of the length from the xiphoid process to the lower limit of the vulvar cleft, and an oval shape with no hooding (29.8%) or superior hooding (21.6%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Awareness of the ideal position, shape, and size of the umbilicus can be useful for achieving successful reconstruction of the umbilicus during abdominoplasty and lipoabdominoplasty.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore (Dr Shu Jin) surlsj@nus.edu.sg.
authors.forename: Shu Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore (Dr Saurabh and Dr Heow Pueh).
authors.forename: Saurabh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Garg
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore (Dr Saurabh and Dr Heow Pueh).
authors.forename: Heow Pueh
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D059925:Anatomic Landmarks; D001504:Beauty; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D010781:Photography; D014472:Umbilicus / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: abdominoplasty; aesthetic umbilicus; lipoabdominoplasty; umbilicoplasty