The 3D experience comes to plastic surgery with Crisalix

Because the term “plastic surgery” comes from a Greek word meaning “to give form,” it is inherently a 3-dimensional concept.  All too often though the way we communicate about plastic surgery flattens it to a 2 dimensions. “Before and after” photos are useful but tell only part of the story. They may not adequately show, for example, the volume changes that are so important in facial rejuvenation, and in the case of breast surgery they are even more limiting. Selecting the size and dimensions of the implants for breast augmentation or reconstruction becomes educated guesswork. (We do a good job of it, but it can still be difficult for the patient to picture the results.)
The technology for 3D imaging is still relatively new to plastic surgery, so our approach is to try out more than one version to see what is ready for prime time. First up is Crisalix, which has the advantage of not requiring a large and elaborate piece of equipment as other systems do. We use standardized photos and a computer program converts the images to 3D, and by referencing an implant database we can show a projection of results. As with all such imaging, the correlation to final results cannot be guaranteed but we believe it will be very helpful.
In the future, I hope we will be able to take it a step further and have 3D video. I have long been disappointed in the way we measure results only by static images in one position, when movement with activity can often show other aspects of the results (for example animation deformities after submuscular breast augmentation.) If a picture is worth a thousand words, a 3D image may be a short story, and 3D video a novel.