Use of an optical surface scanner in assessment of outcome following rhinoplasty surgery.

Objective: To demonstrate the use of an optical surface scanner, with associated software, in the assessment of rhinoplasty patients, and to discuss the possible clinical applications of this technology in the future. Design: Case study analysis of pre- and post-operative scans of a patient undergoing septorhinoplasty at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London, UK. Subject: A 21-year-old man undergoing septorhinoplasty underwent pre-operative optical surface scanning of his face. The scans were repeated at one week and one year post-operatively. Software developed at University College London was then used to analyse the scans. Results: The scans clearly showed that the man's dorsal hump had been well reduced and the nose straightened, with a resulting 1600 mm 3 gain on the right side and a 1000 mm 3 loss on the left side of the nose. Tip projection had also been achieved. Conclusion: This technique allowed objective quantification of facial features and analysis of change. It may well prove useful in the future in predicting change following surgical intervention.