Fanalysis: A Simple Web-Based Facial Analysis and Planning Tool for Rhinoplasty

Preoperative preparation and planning in rhinoplasty are of utmost importance. In planning rhinoplasty, the surgeon should first determine the patient's goals, and then make a thorough facial analysis and a surgical plan. Two of the authors have been involved in the preparation of a very detailed software for rhinoplasty patients called Rhinobase in 1999. It is a software including a database allowing the surgeon to record all the details before, during, and after rhinoplasty. Besides, it has a facial analysis and picture archiving utility. This program has proved itself as a very useful tool for the rhinoplasty surgeon through the years. Some colleagues have complained that it could be used only in Windows operating system and it was very detailed which prevented them from using it more practically. To overcome all these problems and supply rhinoplasty surgeons solely with a simple facial analysis and planning tool, Fanalysis is created as a Web-based application using the facial analysis and surgical planning tool of Rhinobase. The main idea is to give rhinoplasty surgeons the opportunity to systematically and/or photometrically analyze the pictures of their patients and make a detailed operative plan by accessing the program from all parts of the world via Internet through computers, tablets, and cellphones, regardless of the operating system.

The Fanalysis can be accessed from www.fanalysis.net. When the site is reached, the user is asked to sign up. After this process, the main Web page is seen. An important prerequisite is to upload frontal, lateral, and basal pictures including a ruler next to the head. The surgeon is advised to do the photographic analysis at first. When the picture is uploaded into the relevant window, it is asked to calibrate the picture in millimeters by using the ruler in the picture. When the landmarks are marked on the picture, the angles and distances are calculated automatically ([Fig. 1]).

Fig. 1 On the main screen of Fanalysis, the surgeon can upload lateral, frontal, and basal views for photographic and aesthetic analysis. The lateral view was analyzed after calibrating the picture with the help of the ruler. After the landmarks are put on the picture, angles and lengths are calculated automatically.

The second step should be to make an aesthetic analysis in a systematic fashion as listed in the program ([Fig. 2]). The same process should be completed for frontal, lateral, and basal views. The final step is to make an operative plan in accordance with the findings of facial analysis. The surgeon is free to use only part of this tool or all of it. For example, the surgeon can choose to use only the operative plan option of this tool. It is suggested to print the facial analysis and operative plan data on paper for the patient's chart or as PDFs to keep in the patient's digital file. The picture and data of the patients can be stored both in the Fanalysis server and local device of the user. All these steps regarding how to use the program can be found in the demonstration file on the Web site. The program was tested on 20 patients without any problems, and the data obtained from these 20 patients were also compared by using Rhinobase where the same results were obtained. In conclusion, we believe that Fanalysis can be more helpful than other Web tools in facial analysis and rhinoplasty planning.

Fig. 2 A systematic approach to analysis of the lateral view can be done in Fanalysis.

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Accepted Manuscript online:
11. Juli 2023

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
08. August 2023