@article{HeineEigenbergerBrebantetal., author = {Heine, Norbert and Eigenberger, Andreas and Brebant, Vanessa and Hoesl, Vanessa and Brix, Eva and Prantl, Lukas and Kempa, Sally}, title = {Comparison of skin sensitivity following breast reconstruction with three different techniques: Autologous fat grafting, DIEP flap and expander/implant}, series = {Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation}, volume = {80}, journal = {Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation}, number = {4}, publisher = {IOS Press}, issn = {1875-8622}, doi = {10.3233/ch-219203}, pages = {389 -- 397}, abstract = {BACKGROUND: Autologous fat grafting (AFG) has been established over the past two decades as an additive technique during and after breast reconstruction. Complete reconstruction of the breast mound with AFG alone represents an exceptional technique that has been published mostly in case reports or in studies with limited cases.The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of three different techniques for breast reconstruction on the recovery of skin sensitivity at the reconstructed breast. METHODS: The study included 30 patients after mastectomy following breast cancer. Three groups were examined: A) breast reconstruction by autologous fat grafting (AFG), B) breast reconstruction by deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap (DIEP) and C) breast reconstruction by expander/implant (TE).Biometric data were compared; sensitivity tests were performed using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments.The non-operated, healthy contralateral breasts of the patients were used as a reference. RESULTS: While the traditional reconstruction techniques by microsurgical anastomosed perforator flap or expander/implant showed a strongly decreased or completely missing sensitivity of the skin, the tests after reconstruction by AFG represented high values of sensory recovery, which came close to the reference group of non-operated breasts. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare skin sensitivity after AFG-based reconstruction to established techniques for breast reconstruction. We could demonstrate in a limited group of patients, that breast reconstruction by autologous fat grafting can achieve higher values of skin sensitivity compared to traditional techniques.}, subject = {Mammoplastik}, language = {en} } @article{HartmannWeihererSchiltzetal., author = {Hartmann, Robin and Weiherer, Maximilian and Schiltz, Daniel and Baringer, Magnus and Noisser, Vivien and H{\"o}sl, Vanessa and Eigenberger, Andreas and Seitz, Stefan and Palm, Christoph and Prantl, Lukas and Br{\´e}bant, Vanessa}, title = {New aspects in digital breast assessment: further refinement of a method for automated digital anthropometry}, series = {Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics}, volume = {303}, journal = {Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, address = {Heidelberg}, issn = {1432-0711}, doi = {10.1007/s00404-020-05862-2}, pages = {721 -- 728}, abstract = {Purpose: In this trial, we used a previously developed prototype software to assess aesthetic results after reconstructive surgery for congenital breast asymmetry using automated anthropometry. To prove the consensus between the manual and automatic digital measurements, we evaluated the software by comparing the manual and automatic measurements of 46 breasts. Methods: Twenty-three patients who underwent reconstructive surgery for congenital breast asymmetry at our institution were examined and underwent 3D surface imaging. Per patient, 14 manual and 14 computer-based anthropometric measurements were obtained according to a standardized protocol. Manual and automatic measurements, as well as the previously proposed Symmetry Index (SI), were compared. Results: The Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed no significant differences in six of the seven measurements between the automatic and manual assessments. The SI showed robust agreement between the automatic and manual methods. Conclusion: The present trial validates our method for digital anthropometry. Despite the discrepancy in one measurement, all remaining measurements, including the SI, showed high agreement between the manual and automatic methods. The proposed data bring us one step closer to the long-term goal of establishing robust instruments to evaluate the results of breast surgery.}, language = {en} } @article{LotterBrebantEigenbergeretal., author = {Lotter, Luisa and Brebant, Vanessa and Eigenberger, Andreas and Hartmann, Robin and Mueller, Karolina and Baringer, Magnus and Prantl, Lukas and Schiltz, Daniel}, title = {"Topographic Shift": a new digital approach to evaluating topographic changes of the female breast}, series = {Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics}, volume = {303}, journal = {Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics}, number = {2}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, doi = {10.1007/s00404-020-05837-3}, pages = {515 -- 520}, abstract = {Purpose To assess precise topographic changes of the breast, objective documentation and evaluation of pre- and postoperative results are crucial. New technologies for mapping the body using digital, three-dimensional surface measurements have offered novel ways to numerically assess the female breast. Due to the lack of clear demarcation points of the breast contour, the selection of landmarks on the breast is highly dependent on the examiner, and, therefore, is prone to error when conducting before-after comparisons of the same breast. This study describes an alternative to volumetric measurements, focusing on topographic changes of the female breast, based on three-dimensional scans. Method The study was designed as an interventional prospective study of 10 female volunteers who had planned on having aesthetic breast augmentation with anatomical, textured implants. Three dimensional scans of the breasts were performed intraoperatively, first without and then with breast implants. The topographic change was determined as the mean distance between two three-dimensional layers before and after augmentation. This mean distance is defined as the Topographic Shift. Results The mean implant volume was 283 cc (SD = 68.6 cc, range = 210-395 cc). The mean Topographic Shift was 7.4 mm (SD = 1.9 mm, range = 4.8-10.7 mm). The mean Topographic Shifts per quadrant were: I: 8.0 mm (SD = 3.3 mm); II: 9.2 mm (SD = 3.1 mm); III: 6.9 mm (SD = 3.5 mm); IV: 1.9 mm (SD = 4.3 mm). Conclusion The Topographic Shift, describing the mean distance between two three-dimensional layers (for example before and after a volume changing therapy), is a new approach that can be used for assessing topographic changes of a body area. It was found that anatomical, textured breast implants cause a topographic change, particularly on the upper breast, in quadrant II, the decollete.}, language = {en} } @article{HeineEigenbergerBrebantetal., author = {Heine, Norbert and Eigenberger, Andreas and Brebant, Vanessa and Kempa, Sally and Seitz, Stephan and Prantl, Lukas and Kuehlmann, Britta}, title = {The effect of radiotherapy on fat engraftment for complete breast reconstruction using lipofilling only}, series = {Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics}, journal = {Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics}, publisher = {Springer}, doi = {10.1007/s00404-022-06610-4}, pages = {7}, abstract = {Purpose Lipofilling has been established as a standard technique for contour enhancement following breast reconstruction. However, there is a paucity in current literature regarding the use of this technique for complete reconstruction of the female breast as an alternative to conventional techniques, such as expander or flap-based procedures. In particular, the influence of pre-operative irradiation for successful reconstruction has rarely been examined in published studies. Here, the authors describe their experience with successful fat injection in pre-radiated breasts in comparison with non-pre-radiated patients. Methods In this retrospective study, we examined a total of 95 lipofilling treatments on 26 patients (28 breasts). All of them experienced mastectomy following breast cancer; local breast defects after partial resection of the gland were not included in this study. In total, 47 lipofilling procedures in 12 non-irradiated patients (14 breasts) and 48 procedures in 14 irradiated women (also 14 breasts) were performed. Per session, approximately 297 +/- 112 cc of adipose tissue was grafted in group A (no radiotherapy) and approximately 259 +/- 93 cc was grafted in group B (radiotherapy). Results Among the group of women without pre-operative radiation, 71\% of breast reconstructions limited to lipofilling only showed constant engraftment of fat tissue with a successful reconstructive result, whereas only 21\% of the patients with pre-radiated breasts showed complete reconstruction of the breast with a permanent fat in-growth. Conclusion Preoperative radiotherapy significantly impedes successful completion of breast reconstructions planned only by autologous fat transfer. Patients should be selected individually and carefully for complete breast reconstruction using lipofilling only.}, language = {en} } @article{BrebantWeihererNoisseretal., author = {Br{\´e}bant, Vanessa and Weiherer, Maximilian and Noisser, Vivien and Seitz, Stephan and Prantl, Lukas and Eigenberger, Andreas}, title = {Implants Versus Lipograft: Analysis of Long-Term Results Following Congenital Breast Asymmetry Correction}, series = {Aesthetic Plastic Surgery}, volume = {46}, journal = {Aesthetic Plastic Surgery}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, doi = {10.1007/s00266-022-02843-5}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-32404}, pages = {2228 -- 2236}, abstract = {Aims Congenital breast asymmetry represents a particular challenge to the classic techniques of plastic surgery given the young age of patients at presentation. This study reviews and compares the long-term results of traditional breast augmentation using silicone implants and the more innovative technique of lipografting. Methods To achieve this, we not only captured subjective parameters such as satisfaction with outcome and symmetry, but also objective parameters including breast vol-ume and anthropometric measurements. The objective examination was performed manually and by using the Vectra H2 photogrammetry scanning system. Results Differences between patients undergoing either implant augmentation or lipograft were revealed not to be significant with respect to patient satisfaction with surgical outcome (p= 0.55) and symmetry (p= 0.69). Furthermore, a breast symmetry of 93 \% was reported in both groups. Likewise, no statistically significant volume difference between the left and right breasts was observed in both groups (p\0.41). However, lipograft patients needed on average 2.9 procedures to achieve the desired result, compared with 1.3 for implant augmentation. In contrast, patients treated with implant augmentation may require anumber of implant changes during their lifetime. Conclusion Both methods may be considered for patients presenting with congenital breast asymmetry.}, language = {en} } @article{NoisserEigenbergerWeihereretal., author = {Noisser, Vivien and Eigenberger, Andreas and Weiherer, Maximilian and Seitz, Stephan and Prantl, Lukas and Br{\´e}bant, Vanessa}, title = {Surgery of congenital breast asymmetry - which objective parameter influences the subjective satisfaction with long-term results}, series = {Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics}, journal = {Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, doi = {10.1007/s00404-021-06218-0}, pages = {8}, abstract = {Purpose Congenital breast asymmetry is a serious gynecological malformation for affected patients. The condition hits young women in puberty and is associated with socio-esthetic handicap, depression, and psychosexual problems. Surgical treatment is usually early in the patient's lifetime, so a long-term sustainable solution is important. Although postoperative outcome has been evaluated in several studies before, this study is the first to analyze which objective parameters have the greatest influence on subjective satisfaction with long-term results. Methods Thirty-four patients diagnosed with congenital breast asymmetry that underwent either lipofilling or implant therapy between the years of 2008 to 2019 were examined. On average, our collective comprised patients seven years after surgery. Data were mainly gathered through manual measurements, patient-reported outcome measures (Breast Q™), and breast volumetry based on 3D scans (Vectra® H2, Canfield Scientific). Results Among all analyzed parameters, only areolar diameter correlated significantly negatively with the subjective outcome satisfaction of the patient. Regarding the subjective assessment of postoperative satisfaction with similarity of the breasts, again the mean areolar diameter, but also the difference in areolar diameter and breast volume between the right and left breasts correlated significantly negatively. Conclusion Areolar diameter was revealed as being a significant factor influencing subjective long-term satisfaction in breast asymmetry patients. Moreover, 3D volumetry proves to be an effective tool to substantiate subjective patient assessments. Our findings may lead to further improvements to surgical planning and will be expanded in further studies.}, language = {en} } @article{HartmannWeihererSchiltzetal., author = {Hartmann, Robin and Weiherer, Maximilian and Schiltz, Daniel and Seitz, Stephan and Lotter, Luisa and Anker, Alexandra and Palm, Christoph and Prantl, Lukas and Br{\´e}bant, Vanessa}, title = {A Novel Method of Outcome Assessment in Breast Reconstruction Surgery: Comparison of Autologous and Alloplastic Techniques Using Three-Dimensional Surface Imaging}, series = {Aesthetic Plastic Surgery}, volume = {44}, journal = {Aesthetic Plastic Surgery}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Heidelberg}, doi = {10.1007/s00266-020-01749-4}, pages = {1980 -- 1987}, abstract = {Background Breast reconstruction is an important coping tool for patients undergoing a mastectomy. There are numerous surgical techniques in breast reconstruction surgery (BRS). Regardless of the technique used, creating a symmetric outcome is crucial for patients and plastic surgeons. Three-dimensional surface imaging enables surgeons and patients to assess the outcome's symmetry in BRS. To discriminate between autologous and alloplastic techniques, we analyzed both techniques using objective optical computerized symmetry analysis. Software was developed that enables clinicians to assess optical breast symmetry using three-dimensional surface imaging. Methods Twenty-seven patients who had undergone autologous (n = 12) or alloplastic (n = 15) BRS received three-dimensional surface imaging. Anthropomorphic data were collected digitally using semiautomatic measurements and automatic measurements. Automatic measurements were taken using the newly developed software. To quantify symmetry, a Symmetry Index is proposed. Results Statistical analysis revealed that there is no dif- ference in the outcome symmetry between the two groups (t test for independent samples; p = 0.48, two-tailed). Conclusion This study's findings provide a foundation for qualitative symmetry assessment in BRS using automatized digital anthropometry. In the present trial, no difference in the outcomes' optical symmetry was detected between autologous and alloplastic approaches.}, subject = {Mammoplastik}, language = {en} } @unpublished{WeihererEigenbergerBrebantetal., author = {Weiherer, Maximilian and Eigenberger, Andreas and Br{\´e}bant, Vanessa and Prantl, Lukas and Palm, Christoph}, title = {Learning the shape of female breasts: an open-access 3D statistical shape model of the female breast built from 110 breast scans}, pages = {15}, abstract = {We present the Regensburg Breast Shape Model (RBSM) - a 3D statistical shape model of the female breast built from 110 breast scans, and the first ever publicly available. Together with the model, a fully automated, pairwise surface registration pipeline used to establish correspondence among 3D breast scans is introduced. Our method is computationally efficient and requires only four landmarks to guide the registration process. In order to weaken the strong coupling between breast and thorax, we propose to minimize the variance outside the breast region as much as possible. To achieve this goal, a novel concept called breast probability masks (BPMs) is introduced. A BPM assigns probabilities to each point of a 3D breast scan, telling how likely it is that a particular point belongs to the breast area. During registration, we use BPMs to align the template to the target as accurately as possible inside the breast region and only roughly outside. This simple yet effective strategy significantly reduces the unwanted variance outside the breast region, leading to better statistical shape models in which breast shapes are quite well decoupled from the thorax. The RBSM is thus able to produce a variety of different breast shapes as independently as possible from the shape of the thorax. Our systematic experimental evaluation reveals a generalization ability of 0.17 mm and a specificity of 2.8 mm for the RBSM. Ultimately, our model is seen as a first step towards combining physically motivated deformable models of the breast and statistical approaches in order to enable more realistic surgical outcome simulation.}, language = {en} } @article{WeihererEigenbergerEggeretal., author = {Weiherer, Maximilian and Eigenberger, Andreas and Egger, Bernhard and Br{\´e}bant, Vanessa and Prantl, Lukas and Palm, Christoph}, title = {Learning the shape of female breasts: an open-access 3D statistical shape model of the female breast built from 110 breast scans}, series = {The Visual Computer}, volume = {39}, journal = {The Visual Computer}, number = {4}, publisher = {Springer Nature}, doi = {10.1007/s00371-022-02431-3}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-30506}, pages = {1597 -- 1616}, abstract = {We present the Regensburg Breast Shape Model (RBSM)—a 3D statistical shape model of the female breast built from 110 breast scans acquired in a standing position, and the first publicly available. Together with the model, a fully automated, pairwise surface registration pipeline used to establish dense correspondence among 3D breast scans is introduced. Our method is computationally efficient and requires only four landmarks to guide the registration process. A major challenge when modeling female breasts from surface-only 3D breast scans is the non-separability of breast and thorax. In order to weaken the strong coupling between breast and surrounding areas, we propose to minimize the variance outside the breast region as much as possible. To achieve this goal, a novel concept called breast probability masks (BPMs) is introduced. A BPM assigns probabilities to each point of a 3D breast scan, telling how likely it is that a particular point belongs to the breast area. During registration, we use BPMs to align the template to the target as accurately as possible inside the breast region and only roughly outside. This simple yet effective strategy significantly reduces the unwanted variance outside the breast region, leading to better statistical shape models in which breast shapes are quite well decoupled from the thorax. The RBSM is thus able to produce a variety of different breast shapes as independently as possible from the shape of the thorax. Our systematic experimental evaluation reveals a generalization ability of 0.17 mm and a specificity of 2.8 mm. To underline the expressiveness of the proposed model, we finally demonstrate in two showcase applications how the RBSM can be used for surgical outcome simulation and the prediction of a missing breast from the remaining one. Our model is available at https://www.rbsm.re-mic.de/.}, language = {en} } @article{HartmannNieberlePalmetal., author = {Hartmann, Robin and Nieberle, Felix and Palm, Christoph and Br{\´e}bant, Vanessa and Prantl, Lukas and Kuehle, Reinald and Reichert, Torsten E. and Taxis, Juergen and Ettl, Tobias}, title = {Utility of Smartphone-based Three-dimensional Surface Imaging for Digital Facial Anthropometry}, series = {JPRAS Open}, volume = {39}, journal = {JPRAS Open}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.jpra.2024.01.014}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-70348}, pages = {330 -- 343}, abstract = {Background The utilization of three-dimensional (3D) surface imaging for facial anthropometry is a significant asset for patients undergoing maxillofacial surgery. Notably, there have been recent advancements in smartphone technology that enable 3D surface imaging. In this study, anthropometric assessments of the face were performed using a smartphone and a sophisticated 3D surface imaging system. Methods 30 healthy volunteers (15 females and 15 males) were included in the study. An iPhone 14 Pro (Apple Inc., USA) using the application 3D Scanner App (Laan Consulting Corp., USA) and the Vectra M5 (Canfield Scientific, USA) were employed to create 3D surface models. For each participant, 19 anthropometric measurements were conducted on the 3D surface models. Subsequently, the anthropometric measurements generated by the two approaches were compared. The statistical techniques employed included the paired t-test, paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Bland-Altman analysis, and calculation of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results All measurements showed excellent agreement between smartphone-based and Vectra M5-based measurements (ICC between 0.85 and 0.97). Statistical analysis revealed no statistically significant differences in the central tendencies for 17 of the 19 linear measurements. Despite the excellent agreement found, Bland-Altman analysis revealed that the 95\% limits of agreement between the two methods exceeded ±3 mm for the majority of measurements. Conclusion Digital facial anthropometry using smartphones can serve as a valuable supplementary tool for surgeons, enhancing their communication with patients. However, the proposed data suggest that digital facial anthropometry using smartphones may not yet be suitable for certain diagnostic purposes that require high accuracy.}, language = {en} }