ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES@#To search age-correlated facial features and construct an age estimation model based on the three-dimensional （3D） facial images of Xinjiang Uygur males, and to structure individual face images of old age and young age.@*METHODS@#Pretreatment was performed to collect 105 3D facial images of Xingjiang Uygur males aged between 17-57 years by Artec Studio software. The facial images were transferred to high-density 3D dot matrix data by FaceAnalysis software, and each image could be represented with 32 251 vertexes. Central correction of the facial images was done and all the data were aligned to a standard coordinate frame by generalized Procrustes analysis （GPA）. The age estimation model was established by partial least square regression （PLSR）. Furthermore, the changes of age-correlated facial features were presented on the heat map of average face, and the reconstruction of facial images at different ages was performed based on this model.@*RESULTS@#With age, the average faces showed a series of changes including the nasolabial sulcus deepening, cheek sinking, cheekbone protruding and eye corner drooping. The Pearson correlation coefficient （r） between estimated age and chronological age was 0.71. The mean absolute deviation （MAD） of age estimation was 6.37 years. The results of age estimation in >30-40 years group showed a best accuracy （MAD=4.27 years）, and the deviations increased with age after 40 years. The composite facial images represented a significant result with age on facial morphological features and aging.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The results of this study reveal the age-correlated facial features and aging markers in Uygur population, which help to construct a reliable age estimation model.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Aging/physiology , Face/anatomy & histology , Head/anatomy & histology , Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods , SoftwareABSTRACT
Severe defects and deformities of face and neck normally arise from burns, tumor extirpation and trauma. They had long been a major therapeutic challenge in the realm of plastic and reconstructive surgery on account of massive involvement of skin and soft tissues, combined composite tissue injuries, high demands on aesthetic and functional outcomes, and scarce suitable reconstructive materials. After an extensive review of literature published recently, this article delineated up-to-date developments in autologous reconstruction and face allotransplantation, especially their indications and limitations in treating these patients. Meanwhile, an outlook on opportunities and challenges of these two treatment modalities was given.
ABSTRACT
Severe defects and deformities of face and neck normally arise from burns, tumor extirpation and trauma. They had long been a major therapeutic challenge in the realm of plastic and reconstructive surgery on account of massive involvement of skin and soft tissues, combined composite tissue injuries, high demands on aesthetic and functional outcomes, and scarce suitable reconstructive materials. After an extensive review of literature published recently, this article delineated up-to-date developments in autologous reconstruction and face allotransplantation, especially their indications and limitations in treating these patients. Meanwhile, an outlook on opportunities and challenges of these two treatment modalities was given.
ABSTRACT
Despite the fact that arterialized venous flaps provide thin, good quality tissue to a defect of the face and neck, their clinical applications have been limited by unstable postoperative course and necrosis of the flap. The author tried to resolve these problems by applying tissue expansion techniques to the arterialized venous flap before flap transfer. Three cases of the pre-expanded arterialized venous free flap technique were used for postburn scar contracture of the cervicofacial region. The donor site was confined to the forearm. A rectangular expander was placed over the fascia of the flexor muscles on the proximal two thirds of the forearm. The mean expansion period, volume, and flap size were 44 days, 420 cc, and 147 cm2, respectively. There were no complications caused by expander insertion and expansion. One could successfully reconstruct the facial region after excision of postburn contractures with pre-expanded arterialized venous flaps without any marginal necrosis or unstable postoperative course of the flap. Thin and large arterialized venous flaps were well matched with the recipient defect on the cervicofacial area, since the color and texture match obtained with forearm tissue produced an aesthetically favorable result. Pre-expanded arterialized venous flaps are another new option for free flap reconstruction of the face and neck.