Over the last several years, medical imaging techniques have continually improved. However, measuring aesthetic outcome using conventional photography has its inherent limitations; visualizing an area such as the face, which has 3 dimensions, using plain photography, which has 2 dimensions, may be inaccurate in determining the change from preoperative to postoperative images. At our institution, we have begun using a 3-D imaging device to visualize facial aesthetic patients preoperatively and during their postoperative course.

In consecutive patients undergoing Contour thread placement for facial rejuvenation, we prospectively imaged these patients both preoperatively and postoperatively at separate timepoints. From these 3-dimensional images we were able to find movement vectors in all 3 axes for changes in soft tissue. Analyzed images revealed midface soft tissue elevation and improved nasolabial contour over a period of months postoperatively. Average improvement in nasolabial furrowing was 2.3 mm in these patients, and images showed stability of the improvement of the nasolabial area over time.

In conclusion, we have found that 3-dimensional imaging techniques may be an important development in the accuracy of medical imaging, both in the aesthetic and reconstructive patient. The use of 3-dimensional imaging may be applicable to numerous clinical settings.