Application of off-the-shelf stereo-cameras for the 3D assessment of morphometric variations caused by rhinoplasty

Abstract

The present paper shows how a non-invasive and low-cost photogrammetric stereo device allows the assessment of morphometric variations of the nose following rhinoplasty. Six female patients, aged between 24 and 37 years, underwent 3D stereo-photogrammetric scanning. Three-dimensional computerised models were generated, extracting also information related to the coordinates of facial landmarks, distances between landmarks, angles, in pre- and postoperative situation. Two kinds of analysis were carried out: (i) statistical correlation between size variations and (ii) morphometric analysis, including General Procrustes Analysis (GPA), Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and Warping. The study shows the usefulness of the stereo-photogrammetric facial digitisation for morphometric analysis of the human face. Three-dimensional computerised models are also an important tool for the assessment of the surgeon’s performance in the event of dispute between doctor and patient. Moreover, confirmation of the PCA as an analytical tool for the identification of components characterising the morphometric structure of the nose is highlighted.

Keywords:

• Stereophotogrammetry
• landmark
• principal component analysis
• Warping
• rhinoplasty

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the EVAN-Society for the use of the EVAN Toolbox (ET), software package for research and education purposes, developed by the European Virtual Anthropology Network – EVAN (www.evan.at) and the EVAN-Society (http://www.evan-society.org).

The authors wish to also thank the Surgeon Prof. Michele Roberto that operated on the patients, Prof. Francesco Introna for his help in selecting the patients, Dr Leonardo Traversa for his support in data elaboration, and Dr Eliana Di Gioia and Studio Associato di Odontoiatria Dottori Di Gioia – Bari (Italy) for having made available equipment and their office for the data acquisition.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.