Design of a torso positioning device for pre-operative planning of breast reconstruction surgery

Breast reconstruction surgery plays a vital role in the psychological healing of many mastectomy patients. Until recently, the outcomes following breast reconstruction have been based on subjective measures and the experience of the plastic surgeon. Laser scanning is the latest technology that can produce a three-dimensional image of a patient´s breasts and torso for the preoperative planning of breast reconstruction surgery. A torso positioning device, therefore, is being designed and validated that will hold patients stationary during laser scanning and standardize their positioning for pre- and post-operative comparison. The system will be used by plastic surgeons at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. The ultimate goal of applying this technology to reconstruction surgery is to improve patient outcomes and prevent unnecessary revisional surgery.