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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
Treatment of Facial Deformities using 3D Planning and Printing of Patient-Specific Implants
Published on: May 23, 2020
Three-dimensional photogrammetry for surgical planning of tissue expansion in hemifacial microsomia
Yasas S N Jayaratne1, John Lo, Roger A Zwahlen
1Discipline of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Background:
We aim to illustrate the applications of 3-dimensional (3-D) photogrammetry for surgical planning and longitudinal assessment of the volumetric changes in hemifacial microsomia.
Methods:
A 3-D photogrammetric system was employed for planning soft tissue expansion and transplantation of a vascularized scapular flap for a patient with hemifacial microsomia. The facial deficiency was calculated by superimposing a mirror of the normal side on the preoperative image. Postsurgical volumetric changes were monitored by serial superimposition of 3-D images.
Results:
A total of 31 cm(3) of tissue expansion was achieved within a period of 4 weeks. A scapular free flap measuring 8 cm × 5 cm was transplanted to augment the facial deficiency. Postsurgical shrinkage of the flap was observed mainly in the first 3 months and it was minimal thereafter.
Conclusion:
3-D photogrammetry can be used as a noninvasive objective tool for assessing facial deformity, planning, and postoperative follow-up of surgical correction of facial asymmetry.
