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A Simple Method for International Standardization of Photographic Documentation for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

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Abstract

Due to the lack of internationally standardized, objective, and scientific photographic standardization methods, differences in photographic documents have gravely affected the truth of surgical outcomes by visual misperception or illusion, thus hindering the development of plastic surgery clinically and scholastically. Here I suggest a simple method for standardization of facial photographs. The method consists of an imaginary transverse line (tentatively the “PSA line”) rather than the Frankfort horizontal plane and uses a white background with black grids and standard RGB with CMYK circles. This simplified method of photographic standardization would help our professional society to make international standards on facial photographic documentation to maintain scholastic ethics, conscience, and morals.

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Acknowledgement

The author has no financial interest in any of the products and/or devices mentioned in this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ilsan Hospital, Dongguk University College of School of Medicine, 27 Dongguk-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang City, Kyounggi-Do, 10326, Republic of Korea

    Seung Chul Rhee

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Correspondence to Seung Chul Rhee.

Appendix: Standard Background for Facial Photographic Documentation

Appendix: Standard Background for Facial Photographic Documentation

Colors of photographs can be compared with standard RGB and CMYK circles displayed on a white background. Multiple lines of intersecting grids on the background enable us to identify true vertical and horizontal planes and compare them with the camera position. For facial photographs, though there is no limitation, this background image can be appropriately printed as the size of A1 (594 × 841 mm or 23.39 × 33.11 inches. The American alternative to A1 is the ANSI D-size, which is part of the ANSI/ASME Y14.1 standard. It measures 559 × 864 mm or 22 × 34″) or A2 (420 × 594 mm or 16.54 × 23.39 inches. The US-alternative to A2 is called ANSI C and measures 17 × 22″ or 432 × 559 mm.)

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Rhee, S.C. A Simple Method for International Standardization of Photographic Documentation for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Aesth Plast Surg 41, 461–465 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-017-0788-0

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