Purpose In this trial, we used a previously developed prototype software to assess aesthetic results after reconstructive surgery for congenital breast asymmetry using automated anthropometry. To prove the consensus between the manual and automatic digital measurements, we evaluated the software by comparing the manual and automatic measurements of 46 breasts. Methods Twenty-three patients who underwent reconstructive surgery for congenital breast asymmetry at our institution were examined and underwent 3D surface imaging. Per patient, 14 manual and 14 computer-based anthropometric measurements were obtained according to a standardized protocol. Manual and automatic measurements, as well as the previously proposed Symmetry Index (SI), were compared. Results The Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed no significant differences in six of the seven measurements between the automatic and manual assessments. The SI showed robust agreement between the automatic and manual methods. Conclusion The present trial validates our method for digital anthropometry. Despite the discrepancy in one measurement, all remaining measurements, including the SI, showed high agreement between the manual and automatic methods. The proposed data bring us one step closer to the long-term goal of establishing robust instruments to evaluate the results of breast surgery. Level of evidence: IV.

Purpose Congenital breast asymmetry is a serious gynecological malformation for affected patients. The condition hits young women in puberty and is associated with socio-esthetic handicap, depression, and psychosexual problems. Surgical treatment is usually early in the patient's lifetime, so a long-term sustainable solution is important. Although postoperative outcome has been evaluated in several studies before, this study is the first to analyze which objective parameters have the greatest influence on subjective satisfaction with long-term results. Methods Thirty-four patients diagnosed with congenital breast asymmetry that underwent either lipofilling or implant therapy between the years of 2008 to 2019 were examined. On average, our collective comprised patients seven years after surgery. Data were mainly gathered through manual measurements, patient-reported outcome measures (Breast Q™), and breast volumetry based on 3D scans (Vectra® H2, Canfield Scientific). Results Among all analyzed parameters, only areolar diameter correlated significantly negatively with the subjective outcome satisfaction of the patient. Regarding the subjective assessment of postoperative satisfaction with similarity of the breasts, again the mean areolar diameter, but also the difference in areolar diameter and breast volume between the right and left breasts correlated significantly negatively. Conclusion Areolar diameter was revealed as being a significant factor influencing subjective long-term satisfaction in breast asymmetry patients. Moreover, 3D volumetry proves to be an effective tool to substantiate subjective patient assessments. Our findings may lead to further improvements to surgical planning and will be expanded in further studies.

No abstract

No abstract

Purpose: Congenital breast asymmetry is a serious gynaecological malformation for affected patients. The phenotyping hits young women in puberty and is associated with a socio-aesthetic handicap, depression and psychosexual problems. Therefore, the time of therapy is usually early in view of the patient's entire life so that a sustainable solution is important. Although, postoperative outcome has been evaluated in several studies before, this study firstly analyses which objective parameters have the most influence on subjective satisfaction with long-term results.Methods: 34 patients with a diagnosed congenital breast asymmetry that underwent either lipofilling or implant therapy in the years of 2008 - 2019 were examined. On average, our collective was seven years postoperatively. Data was mainly gathered by manual measurements, patient-reported outcome measures (Breast Q™) and breast volumetry based on 3D scans (Vectra® H2, Canfield Scientific).Results: Among all analysed parameters, only the areola diameter correlated significantly negative with the subjective outcome satisfaction of the patient. Regarding the subjective assessment of the postoperative satisfaction with similarity of the breasts, again the mean of areola diameter, the difference of areola diameter between right and left breast and the difference of volume assessed with 3D scans correlated significantly negative.Conclusion: The areola diameter was shown to be a significant influencing factor for patient-subjective long-term satisfaction in breast asymmetry patients. Besides, 3D volumetry was shown to be a good tool for objectifying patient subjective assessments. Our findings could lead to further improvement of surgical planning and will be built upon in further studies.