Source
Department of Otolaryngology, Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Florida School of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32606, USA. robert.adelson@ent.ufl.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
The objective of the study was to evaluate the accuracy by which computer-simulated rhinoplasty images reflect surgical results in 6-month postoperative photographs.
METHODS:
We performed a retrospective, objective evaluation of 5 features of the facial profile in the computer-simulated images and in the 6-month postoperative photographs of 36 rhinoplasty patients. Data recorded for the nasolabial angle, nasofrontal angle, columella tip angle, columella/infratip lobule ratio, and an established method of assessing tip projection were subjected to statistical analysis by 2-tailed t test and analysis of variance testing.
RESULTS:
Simulated and actual measurements of columella tip angle were found to be significantly different (P = .021). The set of measurements taken from computer-simulated images at the nasolabial angle (P = .301), nasofrontal angle (P = .471), columellar/infratip lobule ratio (P = .402), and tip projection ratio (P = .547) were not statistically different from the respective measurements recorded from the 6-month follow-up images.
CONCLUSIONS:
No significant difference was found between the measurements recorded from computer-simulated images and those recorded from 6-month postoperative photographs in 4 of the 5 features of the facial profile studied. The accuracy and predictive value of computer-simulated images is demonstrated and quantified for the first time.