How Camera-to-Subject Distance and Height Affect Breast Measurement and Follow-Up Assessment in Plastic Surgery

Area of Science:

• Medical imaging
• Plastic surgery
• Biomechanical analysis

Background:

• Two-dimensional (2D) breast photography is prone to bias due to factors affecting image quality.
• Key variables influencing breast image performance include camera-to-subject distance and photography angles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of camera distance and height on breast measurement parameters.
• To understand breast deformation trends under varying photographic conditions.
• To provide guidance for accurate breast evaluation and follow-up assessments.

Main Methods:

• Sixteen volunteers with varying breast cup sizes (A-D) participated.
• Frontal and lateral photographs were captured at fixed focus (50 mm), varying distances (1.10-2.20 m), and heights (-30 cm to +30 cm relative to nipple).
• Breast aesthetic parameters (linear, area, ratio) were measured using Vernier calipers and Photoshop by two independent researchers.

Main Results:

• High inter-rater reliability (correlation coefficient 0.922-0.999) was observed.
• Photoshop measurements were significantly larger (29.67 ± 5.23%) than Vernier caliper measurements (p < 0.01).
• Decreasing camera distance significantly increased linear and area parameters (p < 0.05), while ratio parameters remained stable (p = 1.00).
• Lower breast pole appeared wider and flatter with decreasing camera height, occupying a larger proportion.

Conclusions:

• Camera-to-subject distances of 1.5-1.7 m are recommended for stable and uniform breast photography.
• Varying camera height significantly impacts breast distortion and proportion.
• Quantifying photographic conditions aids plastic surgeons in accurate breast morphology assessments.