Commentary on: Four-Dimensional Breast Imaging, Parts I and II

Abstract

Objectively measuring and accurately counseling patients on breast size and shape is a challenge for aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgeons alike but is particularly important when discussing potential outcomes in patients who wish to undergo cosmetic breast augmentation. For years, surgeons have relied on existing two-dimensional photographs of pre- and postoperative cases, with the hope that information could be extrapolated by the current patient from cases of women with similar breast or body habitus who underwent a similar procedure. Other crude measures include having the patient place different implants in her bra or test specially-designed bras with built-in sizers. While these methods have been considered sufficient in the past, we now live in a technology-savvy, data-driven, information-heavy society. Patients seeking breast surgery are accustomed to having easy access to a virtually unlimited amount of information at any time. There are even smart phone applications that model how a woman would look with a particular size of breast implant (PerfecT, SPATAPS, LLC, Birmingham, Alabama; iAugment, Touch Studios, New Orleans, Louisiana). However crude it may be, the fact that these applications exist (and that there is more than one) further highlights the obvious demand and importance of simulated modeling of potential surgical results. Being able to provide legitimate information of this sort during the consultation—in an accurate, controlled, and more scientific fashion—is therefore a welcome addition to our consultation options. In two articles describing the development of a four-dimensional (4D) imaging tool, …