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The Effect of Arm Position on Breast Volume Measurement Using Three-dimensional Imaging
Chenglong Wang1, Chunjun Liu1, Hao Cheng1
1Department of Aesthetic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 33 Ba-Da-Chu Road, Shi-Jing-Shan District, Beijing, 100144, China.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
|January 25, 2021
Summary
Arm position during 3D breast imaging impacts breast volume change evaluation after autologous fat grafting, especially with smaller fat injections. Consistent arm positioning is crucial for accurate fat volume retention assessment.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Three-dimensional (3D) imaging provides objective breast volume assessment.
- Autologous fat grafting is a common breast augmentation technique.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if arm position influences breast volume measurements using 3D imaging.
- To identify the most stable arm position for evaluating fat volume retention after augmentation.
Main Methods:
- 3D breast imaging was performed on patients undergoing fat grafting at three arm positions: sides, akimbo, and hands on head.
- Scans were repeated pre- and post-surgery to calculate breast volume change (BVC).
- Breast volume change error (BVCE) was compared across positions in a second patient cohort.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant difference in BVC was observed at the sides and akimbo compared to hands on head for patients receiving 100-200 ml fat injections (p=0.02).
- No significant difference in BVC was found for patients receiving >200 ml fat injections (p>0.05).
- No significant difference in BVCE was found across arm positions in the second cohort (p=0.11).
Conclusions:
- Arm position during 3D imaging affects BVC evaluation, particularly in patients with smaller fat grafting volumes.
- Consistent arm positioning is recommended for reliable 3D imaging assessment of fat volume retention post-augmentation.
