title: Digitalized analysis of philtral anatomy for planning individual treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Restoration of the philtral region following traumatic, cleft, and tumor surgeries is often difficult due to influence of this feature to whole facial beauty. The aim of this study is to investigate the types and measurements of the philtrum and its relationship with the upper lip using a software.
  
  
  METHODS
  Standard personal photographs of the philtral region were obtained from 200 young adults participated in this study. Linear analyses (the lengths of philtral column and dimple; the philtral width) and angular analyses (apex and central angles of Cupid's bow) were measured as reference points. As for the shape of the philtral column, it was categorized as four distinct types: parallel, triangular, concave, and unclear type.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The philtral width was 11.37 ± 1.9 mm in males, 10.21 ± 1.80 mm in females. The length of the philtral dimple was 18.16 ± 3.6 mm in males, 18.16 ± 3.6 mm in females. Compared with women, both of the measured average philtral reference lengths displayed a significantly greater value in men. In the meanwhile, compared to women, the angular measurements of Cupid's bow (i.e., the apex and central angle of Cupid's bow) were smaller in men. It was 127.47 ± 12.74° mm in males, 134.1 ± 11.38° mm in females. The triangular and concave types were associated with a substantial fraction in men, whereas the triangular and parallel types were predominant in women. There were significant gender differences in the esthetic rankings of philtral column shapes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest digitalized reference values relative to the philtral column which may increase the success of the individual reconstructive treatment of the surgical procedures and reduce possible asymmetrical appearance. With the help of certain software, this research has made possible to investigate the ideal parameters of philtral construction in defining the best surgical solution for the patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, 35100, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bagheri
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, 35100, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Suzan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sirinturk
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, 35100, Izmir, Turkey. figen.govsa@ege.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Figen
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9635-6308
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Govsa
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, 35100, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yelda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Pinar
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, 35100, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet Asim
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ozer
mesh_terms: D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008046:Lip / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010781:Photography; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012984:Software; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cleft lip; Philtral column; Philtral dimple; Philtrum; Reconstructive surgery; Upper lip