title: Development of a three-dimensional hand model using 3D stereophotogrammetry: Evaluation of landmark reproducibility.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Using three-dimensional (3D) photography, exact images of the human body can be produced. Over the last few years, this technique is mainly being developed in the field of maxillofacial reconstructive surgery, creating fusion images with computed tomography (CT) data for accurate planning and prediction of treatment outcome. However, in hand surgery, 3D photography is not yet being used in clinical settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  The aim of this study was to develop a valid method for imaging the hand using 3D stereophotogrammetry. The reproducibility of 30 soft tissue landmarks was determined using 3D stereophotogrammetric images. Analysis was performed by two observers on 20 3D photographs. Reproducibility and reliability of the landmark identification were determined using statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intra- and interobserver reproducibility of the landmarks were high. This study showed a high reliability coefficient for intraobserver (1.00) and interobserver reliability (0.99). Identification of the landmarks on the palmar aspect of individual fingers was more precise than the identification of landmarks of the thumb.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that 3D photography can safely produce accurate and reproducible images of the hand, which makes the technique a reliable method for soft tissue analysis. 3D images can be a helpful tool in pre- and postoperative evaluation of reconstructive trauma surgery, in aesthetic surgery of the hand, and for educational purposes. The use in everyday practice of hand surgery and the concept of fusing 3D photography images with radiologic images of the interior hand structures needs to be further explored.
authors: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: inge.hoevenaren@radboudumc.nl.
authors: Inge A
authors: IA
authors: Hoevenaren
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors: Thomas J J
authors: TJ
authors: Maal
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Technical Medicine, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Krikken
authors: Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors: A F J
authors: AF
authors: de Haan
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors: S J
authors: SJ
authors: Bergé
authors: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors: D J O
authors: DJ
authors: Ulrich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D010780:Photogrammetry / Q000379:methods*; D011187:Posture; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: 3D stereophotogrammetry; Computer-assisted surgery; Hand surgery; Landmarks; Reconstructive surgical procedures; Three-dimensional imaging