Abstract: Objective To investigate the influence of respiration on breast volume after augmentation mammaplasty by 3D scanning. Methods From January 2010 to December 2010, twenty patients after augmentation mammaplasty were received pre-operative 3D scanning in different respiration states respectively: in the end of normal exhalation (Scan 1), in the end of normal inhalation (Scan 2) and in the end of normal exhalation again (Scan 3). By using Geomagic Studio 12 software, breast volumetric change and 3D deviation were measured between Scan1 and Scan 3 (R1), also between Scan 1 and Scan 2 (R2). Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated between 3D deviation and breast volumetric change. Results The mean breast volume of all the patients was (354.1±53.9) ml. Breast volumetric change and 3D deviation in R1 were both significantly lower than in R2 (9.9 ml VS 22.7 ml, P0.05) while it was correlated with 3D deviation in R2 significantly with the correlation coefficient as 0.766 (P<0.05). Conclusion Keeping patients in the same respiration state is crucial to accurate measurement of breast volume by 3D scanning.

Key words: Three-dimensional scanning, Breast volume, Augmentation mammaplasty