ABSTRACT
Three-dimensional capture of the surface of soft tissue is a desirable support for documentation and therapy planning in plastic and reconstructive surgery concerning the complex anatomy of the face, particularly cleft lip and palate (CLP). Different scanning systems are used for capturing facial surfaces. These systems are mostly based on a static linear measuring arrangement. Established systems work on the basis of coded white light or linear laser triangulation and digital stereophotogrammetric approaches. Shadowing effects occur with these devices. These effects may be avoided by a radical new approach first used in automotive industries that employs a mobile, flexible handheld laser scanner with simultaneous registration by optical tracking. The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of this scanner for surgical procedures on the human face in operating theatre. Five babies aged about 3 months with cleft deformities (one CLP, one bilateral CLP, three isolated cleft lips) were captured directly: twice preoperatively, twice postoperatively and twice after 7 days. An industrial standard specimen and two plaster cast masks of CLP babies were taken and subsequently measured to assess reliability and validity of the device. Masks were measured to reflect the complex surface of the cleft deformity. Data evaluation was done with respect to completeness of the data sets, as well as reliability and validity of the system. Missing data caused by shadowing could be avoided in all images. Even complex areas with undercuts could be reproduced completely and precisely with an accuracy in the sub-millimetre range.