One of the most popular parts of a rhinoplasty consultation is computer imaging, which allows a plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon to show patients a prediction of what their nose could look like after the procedure. It’s a key tool in giving patients realistic expectations about their results. But does realistic always mean accurate?
In order to determine the accuracy of computer imaging for rhinoplasty, California plastic surgeon Umang Mehta studied 38 patients who underwent the procedure. The predictive images and actual photos taken six months after surgery were sent to two panels of judges, surgeons and non-surgeons, to assess how similar they were. The patients themselves were also surveyed.
On a scale of one to five, one being not accurate and five being very accurate, the surgeons gave the computer images an average score of three-moderately accurate. The non-surgeons were a little more impressed, giving an average score of 3.55. Both groups determined that the height of the supratip (the area just above the tip of the nose) was the least accurate area.
The patients’ comparisons resulted in a similar score: 3.4. Despite room for more accuracy, those who completed the survey felt that computer imaging was helpful in understanding the surgery and the surgeon’s aesthetic; furthermore, they reported being happy with their outcomes, rating their satisfaction four or five.
Calling it a reasonably accurate process, Dr. Mehta and the study co-authors wrote, “Patients found the preoperative computer imaging process to be extremely useful in several respects and stated that they would highly recommend the process to anyone undergoing the surgery.”
Have you gotten a nose job? Was computer imaging part of your consultation? Was it accurate? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
