Accurate Measurement of Surface Areas of Anatomical Structures Including Areas with an Irregular Relief: a Modern Solution to the Problem

Relevance. The currently available methods for measuring anatomical areas with irregular relief do not claim to be accurate and easy to use.

The aim of the study was to develop a method for measuring the surface area of an anatomical region (substructure) with an irregular relief.

Material and methods. There was developed an option to measure the surface area of an anatomical region (substructure) with a complex relief in patients with pathology of the maxillofacial region and perineum using realistic 3D modeling.

Results. The principle of the developed method is that, firstly, it is necessary to determine the patient's "zone of interest", where it is planned to measure the surface area; after that, digital photographs of the defined area are taken to obtain a sufficient number of images from the maximum number of available angles using a template with predefined dimensions for scaling. Then the obtained photographs are processed in the program for the 3D model reconstruction, and a realistic 3D model that correctly repeats the relief of the "zone of interest" and guarantees measurements of the surface area taking into account all its individual features is obtained. The method has been tested in obstetrics and gynecology, dentistry, maxillofacial surgery.

Conclusion. This technique has been proved to be simple, accessible, fast, highly accurate in measuring the area of anatomical regions with complex relief. At the same time, the investigated object does not need fixation and prolonged immobility. A digital optical device is used contactless, the fact being significant in situations where it is necessary to comply with the rules of asepsis and antisepsis.

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