[Problems of photographic documentation in plastic surgery]

A basic aim of photographic documentation of clinical cases is to compare these cases with each other. Some examples illustrate possible misinterpretations due to inadequate or variable photographic conditions. To assess postoperative results is possible only in exact comparative photography. Depending upon specific problems, the required conditions are variable. Nevertheless, some general rules can be formulated. They should be applied in a photographic documentation of clinical cases.