Digital photography in plastic surgery: how to achieve reasonable standardization outside a photographic studio

Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2007 Mar-Apr;31(2):194-200. doi: 10.1007/s00266-006-0125-5.

Abstract

Accurate photographic documentation has become essential in reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery both for clinical and scientific purposes. Digital imaging systems currently are popular, being reasonably affordable and much improved in quality. They offer multiple advantages in terms of quality, easy image storage and retrieval. Nevertheless, obtaining standardized, consistent, and relevant digital images is not easy outside a photographic studio. The purpose of this report is to define guidelines for accurate image capture in different anatomic areas, following elementary general criteria based on practical issues beyond the purely theoretical, to obtain reasonable standardization, consistency, and reproducibility.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Equipment Design
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / standards*
  • Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care
  • Patient Care Planning / standards
  • Photography / standards*
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures / standards*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic