3DBODY.TECH 2019 - Paper 19.272

K. M. Nicklaus et al., "Trends in Breast Measurements of Unilateral Breast Reconstruction Patients to Inform Bra Design", in Proc. of 3DBODY.TECH 2019 - 10th Int. Conf. and Exh. on 3D Body Scanning and Processing Technologies, Lugano, Switzerland, 22-23 Oct. 2019, pp. 272-279, doi:10.15221/19.272.

Title:

Trends in Breast Measurements of Unilateral Breast Reconstruction Patients to Inform Bra Design

Authors:

Krista M. NICKLAUS 1,2, Eloise JEWETT 1, Chi LIU 3, Jun LIU 2, Gregory P. REECE 2, Summer E. HANSON 2, Fatima A. MERCHANT 1,4, Mia K. MARKEY 1,5

1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA;
2 Dep. of Plastic Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA;
3 Apparel and Art Design College, Xi'an Polytechnic University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, P.R. China;
4 Department of Engineering Technology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA;
5 Dep. of Imaging Physics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

Abstract:

Breast reconstruction patients face unique challenges in finding a properly fitting bra after breast surgery, leading to decreased bra comfort and psychosocial functioning. In addition to considerations such as location of seams and choice of fabric, identifying trends in how breast shape and symmetry measurements change between native breasts and reconstructed breasts may help inform bra design for reconstruction patients. We have previously developed a correspondence system between bra measurements and clinical breast measurements used by reconstructive surgeons. The selected measurements describe the size and projection of the breasts as well as their relative location on the torso as captured by clinical photographs. In this study, we explore how reconstruction changes breast measurements pertinent to bra design by analyzing 3D surface torso images of 15 unilateral implant-based breast reconstruction patients before and after their reconstruction surgery. Using custom software developed at University of Houston, two researchers measured several breast properties on a 3D surface torso image taken before mastectomy and on another image taken after each patient's final implants had been placed. 14 of the 15 patients had completed their reconstruction surgeries by the time that the second image was taken. We compared the differences in measurements between the pre-mastectomy image and post-mastectomy and reconstruction image for both breasts separately, as well as change in right-left symmetry of the measurements between the pre- and post- images. 14 out of the 15 patients had a revision surgery performed on the contralateral breast to enhance post-reconstruction symmetry. The three most affected measurements between native breasts and breasts reconstructed after mastectomy were the sternal notch to most projecting point, lateral point to most projecting point, and mid-clavicle to transition point to most projecting point. These changes can be attributed to the size and shape of the implants used to compensate for the removal of native breast tissue, which change the fundamental footprint and curvature of the breast. Asymmetry between the breasts also increased after breast cancer treatment despite reconstruction and contralateral revision procedures. These measurements can be used to inform bra designers of what adjustments may be needed to bra patterns to improve fit for reconstruction patients.

Details:

Full paper: 19272nicklaus.pdf
Proceedings: 3DBODY.TECH 2019, 22-23 Oct. 2019, Lugano, Switzerland
Pages: 272-279
DOI: 10.15221/19.272

Copyright notice

© Hometrica Consulting - Dr. Nicola D'Apuzzo, Switzerland, www.hometrica.ch.
Reproduction of the proceedings or any parts thereof (excluding short quotations for the use in the preparation of reviews and technical and scientific papers) may be made only after obtaining the specific approval of the publisher. The papers appearing in the proceedings reflect the author's opinions. Their inclusion in these publications does not necessary constitute endorsement by the editor or by the publisher. Authors retain all rights to individual papers.

Proceedings of 3DBODY.TECH International Conferences on 3D Body Scanning & Processing Technologies, © Hometrica Consulting, Switzerland