Development and validation of a photogrammetry-based preoperative method (BREAST-E) for quantitative breast…

StudyPloS one· 2026

Development and validation of a photogrammetry-based preoperative method (BREAST-E) for quantitative breast morphometric analysis and volume estimation of breast in reconstructive surgery.

Mee Hoong See, Kwan Hoong Ng, Teng Aik Ong … Mahmoud Danaee

Plastic SurgeryStudyClinical practiceQ1IF 3.0

Photogrammetry-based BREAST-E volume estimates closely match mastectomy specimen volumes.

Development and validation of a photogrammetry-based preoperative method (BREAST-E) for quantitative breast morphometric analysis and volume estimation of breast in reconstructive surgery.

Mee Hoong See … Mahmoud Danaee

PloS one · 2026

Background

The demand for reproducible, reliable, and cost-effective tools regarding preoperative breast surgery planning is significant in low- and middle-income countries (low- and middle-income countries) due to limited advanced imaging access, insufficient standardisation, and high cost.

Purpose

This study developed the BREAST-E technique for accurate and standardised breast volume analysis.

Methods

Clinical validation involved 12 patients (13 breasts) undergoing mastectomy, comparing estimated breast volumes to mastectomy specimens.

n = 12 patients

Results

R = 0.789

photogrammetry estimates tracked well with actual mastectomy specimen volumes

n = 12 patients

More results

The BREAST-E technique yielded promising accuracy [Pearson correlation coefficient (R) = 0.899 and mean absolute error (mean absolute error) = 98.12 mL] and encouraging reliability (ICC = 0.995-0.996) across ptosis levels.

Bland-Altman analysis indicated negligible bias, while Cronbach's alpha (reaching 0.994) demonstrated robust internal consistency.

More results

Consequently, no-ptosis presented the highest reliability (ICC = 0.81 and Cronbach's alpha = 0.92) with minimal bias, whereas moderate and severe ptosis levels demonstrated greater variability.

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Conclusion

This study successfully indicated that a reproducible, accessible, and cost-effective method for analysing breast volume was accomplished through the proposed BREAST-E technique for low- and middle-income countries.

Development and validation of a photogrammetry-based preoperative method (BREAST-E) for quantitative breast morphometric analysis and volume estimation of breast in reconstructive surgery.

Development and validation of a photogrammetry-based preoperative method (BREAST-E) for quantitative breast morphometric analysis and volume estimation of breast in reconstructive surgery.

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