Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026
Quantitative Assessment Protocol for Facial Soft Tissue Volumetric Changes with Stereophotogrammetry
Published on: December 9, 2025
Evaluation of Facial Volume Changes after Rejuvenation Surgery Using a 3-Dimensional Camera
Brian Mailey1, Jennifer L Baker1, Ava Hosseini1
1Dr Mailey is an Assistant Professor of Surgery, Institute for Plastic Surgery, Southern Illinois University, Springfield, IL. Drs Baker and Hosseini are Residents in Surgery, and Dr Wallace is a Professor of Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA. Dr Collins is a plastic surgeon in private practice in San Diego, CA. Dr Suliman is an Assistant Professor of Surgery and Dr Cohen is a Volunteer Clinical Faculty Member, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA.
Background:
Surgical rejuvenation alters facial volume distribution to achieve more youthful aesthetic contours. These changes are routinely compared subjectively. The introduction of 3-dimensional (3D) stereophotogrammetry provides a novel method for measuring and comparing surgical results.
Objectives:
We sought to quantify how specific facial areas are changed after rejuvenation surgery using the 3D camera.
Methods:
Patients undergoing facial rejuvenation were imaged preoperatively and postoperatively with 3D stereophotogrammetry. Images were registered using facial surface landmarks unaltered by surgery. Colorimetric 3D analysis depicting postoperative volume changes was performed utilizing the 3D imaging software and quantitative volume measurements were constructed.
Results:
Nine patients who underwent combined facelift procedures and fat grafting were evaluated. Median time for postoperative imaging was 4.8 months. Positive changes in facial volume occurred in the forehead, temples, and cheeks (median changes, 0.9 mL ± 4.3 SD; 0.8 mL ± 0.47 SD; and 1.4 mL ± 1.6 SD, respectively). Negative changes in volume occurred in the nasolabial folds, marionette basins, and neck/submental regions (median changes, -1.0 mL ± 0.37 SD; -0.4 mL ± 0.9 SD; and -2.0 mL ± 4.3 SD, respectively).
Conclusions:
The technique of 3D stereophotogrammetry provides a tool for quantifying facial volume distribution after rejuvenation procedures. Areas of consistent volume increase include the forehead, temples, and cheeks; areas of negative volume change occur in the nasolabial folds, marionette basins, and submental/chin regions. This technology may be utilized to better understand the dynamic changes that occur with facial rejuvenation and quantify longevity of various rejuvenation techniques.
Level Of Evidence:
4 Diagnostic.
