Better Measurements, Better Results After Facial Reconstruction

TUESDAY, March 20 (HealthDay News) -- A simple new measurement technique could improve outcomes after facial reconstruction surgery, researchers report.

The calibration method measures the distance between the top of the external ear canal (porion) and the most prominent point on the chin (pogonion) on patient photographs. This calibration helps facial plastic surgeons use computer imaging software to achieve good results, concluded a U.S. study in the March/April issue of the journal Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery.

"For surgeons who use computer imaging software, analysis of profile photographs is the most valuable tool," said a team from the University of California, Davis, Medical Center in Sacramento. "Even when preoperative and postoperative photographs are of different sizes, relative distance comparisons are possible with a new calibration technique using the constant facial landmarks ... The porion-pogonion distance is a simple reproducible measurement that can be used along with established soft tissue measurements as a guide for profile facial analysis."

In their study, the UCD team analyzed pre- and postoperative photos and medical records of 14 patients, average age 32, who had combined nose surgery and chin correction. The porion-pogonion measurements brought patients closer to the normal range for a variety of facial measurements and angles, the researchers said.