Expanding Access to 3D Technology in Plastic Surgery of the Breast: Validation of the iPhone Against the Vectra H2.

BACKGROUND

The iPhone (Apple Inc, Cupertino, California) contains a high-fidelity 3D-scanner and is widely distributed in the United States. Presently, 3D analysis of the breast necessitates ownership of cost-prohibitive cameras and software packages such as the Vectra system.

OBJECTIVES

We compared the accuracy of 3D photos of the breast obtained with the iPhone X 3D scanner against the Canfield Vectra H2 (Canfield Scientific Inc. Parsippany, NJ) in an effort to expand access to 3D technology in plastic surgery.

METHODS

Twenty breasts (n=20) were 3D-photographed with iPhone X and the Vectra H2 and compared with color map analysis and by measuring distances across the model between key anatomical landmarks. These distances included sternal notch to nipple (SN-N), mid-chest to nipple (M-N), nipple to mid-inframammary fold (N-IMF), and inframammary fold width (IMF). Statistical tests included the Bland-Altman Plot analysis.

RESULTS

When comparing absolute differences in distances between key anatomical landmarks, the average discrepancy in measurements between iPhone and Vectra image pairs were the following: SN-N: 0.94mm, M-N: 0.70mm, N-IMF 0.81mm, and IMF 0.96mm. Colormap analysis demonstrated an average error of 1.53mm, mean of 0.53mm, and standard deviation of ±1.81mm. Bland-Altman Plot revealed a mean difference of 0.13mm and an agreement interval between -1.90 and 2.17mm.

CONCLUSIONS

The iPhone is capable of capturing 3D-photographs with a high level of fidelity when compared to Vectra. 3D-scans obtained with the iPhone may be useful for planning nipple position, measuring the breast footprint, choosing implants, and performing other functions using 3D technology that are typically performed using the more expensive systems.

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