Vectra 3D (3-Dimensional) Imaging Software
What is Vectra 3D imaging?
Three-dimensional imaging devices are capable of capturing and constructing a three dimensional model of a patient’s face (facelift / necklift), breast (breast augmentation / mastopexy), nose (rhinoplasty), body (body contouring), and any target area that a patient may wish to change operatively. A virtual 3-dimensional model of the body part of interest allows your surgeon to demonstrate to you any asymmetries, differences in volume, and desired changes that accurately reflect the changes that will happen with your surgery. The system can also help a patient visualize the potential changes that cannot be seen immediately after surgery when there is still swelling, bruising, and further healing required. These devices have been proven to increase patient understanding and help further set appropriate expectations of plastic surgery.
These tools have been proven to be incredibly accurate when comparing the preoperative surgical simulation and postoperative results. The goal of utilizing a 3D imaging system is to help guide the patient with the most accurate information regarding their postoperative results that is easy to generate and evaluate with a high-level of patient involvement. Your surgeon or surgeon’s staff will obtain 3D images of the body part of interest and simulate the surgery outcome using the imaging software. You can directly compare the before and after simulated images at the time of consultation. This is a level of involvement, predictability, and communication that is not achievable without the help of 3D imaging.
Why does my plastic surgeon want to use 3D imaging (Vectra)?
As plastic surgeons, we have found the incredible utility of 3D imaging to guide a patient through a consultation. The simulation allows the patient to fully understand what we see preoperatively as a plastic surgeon including any potential differences between right and left sides or right and left breasts. In our experience, using 3D imaging provides a visual that leaves no doubt when it comes to patient understanding of expected postoperative breast size, nose shape, facial appearance , and body contour.
What type of consultation or surgery can I have 3D imaging for?
There are excellent studies showing that Vectra 3D imaging has high quality predictability in simulating facelift, necklift, rhinoplasty, chin augmentation, breast augmentation, breast lift (breast mastopexy), body contouring (tummy tuck, liposuction). You should always see a surgeon who is familiar with the ability to utilize a 3D imaging system as part of the plastic surgery procedure you select.
References
Arico Verhulst, MSc, Marinka Hol, MD, Rinaldo Vreeken, BSc, Alfred Becking, MD, DMD, PhD, FEBOMFS, Dietmar Ulrich, MD, PhD, Thomas Maal, PhD, Three-Dimensional Imaging of the Face: A Comparison Between Three Different Imaging Modalities, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Volume 38, Issue 6, June 2018, Pages 579–585, https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjx227
Po-Chuan Chang, MD, Computer-Assisted Planning and 3D Printing-Assisted Modeling for Chin Augmentation, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Volume 38, Issue 1, January 2018, Pages 1–10, https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjx071
Jason Roostaeian, William P. Adams, Three-Dimensional Imaging for Breast Augmentation: Is This Technology Providing Accurate Simulations?, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Volume 34, Issue 6, 1 August 2014, Pages 857–875, https://doi.org/10.1177/1090820X14538805
Brian Mailey, MD, Jennifer L. Baker, MD, Ava Hosseini, MD, Jessica Collins, MD, Ahmed Suliman, MD, Anne M. Wallace, MD, Steven R. Cohen, MD, Evaluation of Facial Volume Changes after Rejuvenation Surgery Using a 3-Dimensional Camera, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Volume 36, Issue 4, April 2016, Pages 379–387, https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjv226
Andrew A. Jacono, MD, FACS, Melanie H. Malone, MD, Benjamin Talei, MD, Three-Dimensional Analysis of Long-Term Midface Volume Change After Vertical Vector Deep-Plane Rhytidectomy, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Volume 35, Issue 5, July 2015, Pages 491–503, https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sju171