Imaging Device Offers 3D Demonstration of Procedure Outcomes

In each edition, Modern Aesthetics^® asks top aesthetic physicians about the newest devices in their practices. This month,JENNIFER WALDEN, MD, FACS talks about the VECTRA XT IMAGING DEVICE FROM CANFIELD IMAGING SYSTEMS. Dr. Walden is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is formally fellowship-trained in Cosmetic Surgery. Her practice is in Austin, TX.

WHAT IS THE VECTRA XT?

The VECTRA XT Canfield's flagship 3D imaging system, offers ultra high resolution color image capture and adequately sharp definition of the details. With its realistic 3D aesthetic simulation tools, Sculptor software makes it easier to demonstrate surgical and non-surgical procedures on a three dimensional image of your patient. The VECTRA XT is designed to capture either face or body images without any mechanical adjustment or recalibration. The VECTRA XT includes all necessary hardware, software, installation, and training. Dr. Walden says she's been using the imaging system for more than a year, primarily for consults for breast augmentation and rhinoplasty.

“I thought it would be advantageous for both my patients and me to have 3D imaging software so patients could have a visualization for what they possibly could look like after breast augmentation as well as rhinoplasty,” Dr. Walden explains. She says she previously used Mirror imaging by Canfield for rhinoplasty imaging but really wanted something for her breast augmentation patients who often requested to have imaging that could show them what they could look like after the augmentation. She says she now uses the system for patients who are interested in breast lift procedures, as well.

“Less frequently we've also used it to show a patient their skin quality, or the ability to lift the face or neck, or for chin augmentation,” she adds. “But it's a mainstay of our consultation for anyone seeking breast augmentation, breast lift, or rhinoplasty. Since my practice is 100 percent cosmetic surgery and that's my patient demographic, we're using it every day.”

HOW HAVE PATIENTS RESPONDED? DO RESULTS MATCH THOSE PREDICTED?

“I've never had a patient say they want to pull out a 3D image because they don't think they look like that after surgery,” says Dr. Walden. “I think in this day and age most patients are very savvy and educated and they know they won't look exactly like an image generated on a computer screen. I find that the imaging is a helpful adjunct, and it is usually before even walking in the office door in the patient's mind when they have an unrealistic image they want to become. I don't think computer imaging is really the culprit that generates those issues.”

HOW HAS THE DEVICE BENEFITTED YOUR PRACTICE?

Dr. Walden explains that the imaging device is a useful tool to use during the consultation and preoperative phase, and that it's a been a positive addition to her practice. “I recently had a patient who is a beauty blogger who had a breast augmentation and rhinoplasty who blogged about her experience. And one of the ending statements was that she liked coming to me because I had innovative technology and she had the ability to see her results in 3D, so in that instance the device speaks for itself.”

The device is an added expense, takes up space, and it does add time to consultation process where some patients may not have needed that to book the surgery, says Dr. Walden, but she adds that she wouldn't have it in her practice if the benefits didn't outweigh the cons.