Can a 3D Scan from another clinic be used for rhinoplasty?

Question

I live in Switzerland and want to do rhinoplasty in Turkey. I would like to have a 3D model of the nose before travelling to Turkey. Is it possible to do the Vectra 3D scan in Zurich or Karlsruhe and then do the surgery in Turkey? Would it be possible for me to modify the 3D model myself or can this only be done by a surgeon?

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. I highly recommend that my patients focus much more on real longterm before and after photographs rather than 3D imaging.   I encounter so many patients in my practice who see me for revision rhinoplasty who previously had surgery elsewhere who feel like they were mislead into surgery by surgeons who relied heavily on 3D imaging without adequate real before and after pictures to back it up.  Photoshop is easy but real surgery is very different.

I always recommend that you carefully evaluate your surgeon’s online before and after gallery on their website for both quality and quantity of results. Make sure that there are hundreds of real before and after pictures which demonstrate long-term follow up results with standardized lighting and standardized background. If your surgeon is posting mostly on-table results without real long-term follow up results, that is usually a major red flag.  If a surgeon is posting mostly just splint removal day videos without longterm follow-up pictures, or all patient selfie’s without real longterm in-office formal pictures that can also be a red flag.   Long-term results are much more meaningful than on table results or 1 week post-op results. Selfie’s can also be fun to look at, but these can often have a filter and do not represent true longterm results because of this and are not as valuable as real longterm in-office before and after photographs on your surgeon’s website with standardized lighting and standardized backgrounds.   I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified rhinoplasty surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Kadir Berat Oyur, MD · Answer

Yes, a Vectra 3D scan performed at another clinic can be useful for consultation and surgical planning, provided the files are compatible with your surgeon's software. However, most surgeons prefer to perform their own 3D imaging because surgical simulations are based on their individual technique and aesthetic goals. While some systems allow limited patient interaction, the final surgical plan and modifications should always be created and reviewed by your surgeon. I recommend discussing this with your chosen rhinoplasty surgeon in Turkey beforehand to ensure the scan format is compatible and will be useful for your consultation.

Can a 3D Scan from another clinic be used for rhinoplasty?

Answers (2)

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