Facial Anatomy Teaching for Aesthetic Surgery: Using 3-dimensional Photogrammetry and Immersive Virtual Reality

Area of Science:

• Surgical Anatomy Education
• Medical Imaging Technology
• Virtual Reality in Medicine

Background:

• Traditional surgical anatomy resources often lack 3D, surgically relevant perspectives.
• Cadaveric dissection, while valuable, faces accessibility challenges in surgical training.
• Existing methods struggle to provide dynamic, detailed views of facial and neck anatomy for surgeons.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel educational approach integrating 3D photogrammetry and virtual reality for surgical anatomy.
• To enhance the understanding of craniofacial and aesthetic surgical anatomy using advanced imaging.
• To overcome limitations of traditional anatomy resources in surgical training.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 3D photogrammetry with multiple DSLR and 3D cameras on dissected cadaveric specimens.
• Developed detailed, lifelike virtual 3D models of facial and neck anatomy.
• Integrated these models into surgical anatomy curricula for craniofacial and aesthetic surgery.

Main Results:

• Created high-quality, 360-degree virtual 3D models of layered facial and neck anatomy.
• Demonstrated technical refinements for precise anatomical detail in 3D renderings.
• Observed increased trainee engagement, spatial understanding, and confidence in surgical application.

Conclusions:

• 3D photogrammetry and virtual reality offer a powerful, accessible tool for surgical anatomy education.
• This technology enhances the learning of complex craniofacial and aesthetic anatomy.
• The approach improves surgical trainees' comprehension and practical application of anatomical knowledge.