Anthropometry of the Breast Region: How to Measure?

• Published in: Aesthetic plastic surgery Vol. 38; no. 2; pp. 344 - 349
• Main Authors: Quieregatto, Paulo R., Hochman, Bernardo, Ferrara, Soraia F., Furtado, Fabianne, Liebano, Richard E., Sabino Neto, Miguel, Ferreira, Lydia M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.04.2014; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Anatomic Landmarks; Anthropometry - methods; Breast - anatomy & histology; Databases, Factual; Female; Humans; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Original Article; Otorhinolaryngology; Plastic Surgery; Sensitivity and Specificity; Weights and Measures; Young Adult; Breast; Body weights and measures; Thorax; Mammaplasty; Anthropometry
• ISSN: 0364-216X; 1432-5241
• DOI: 10.1007/s00266-014-0291-9

Background Breast region measurements are important for research, but they may also become significant in the legal field as a quantitative tool for preoperative and postoperative evaluation. Direct anthropometric measurements can be taken in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to compare direct breast anthropometric measurements taken with a tape measure and a compass. Methods Forty women, aged 18–60 years, were evaluated. They had 14 anatomical landmarks marked on the breast region and arms. The union of these points formed eight linear segments and one angle for each side of the body. The volunteers were evaluated by direct anthropometry in a standardized way, using a tape measure and a compass. Results Differences were found between the tape measure and the compass measurements for all segments analyzed ( p  > 0.05). Conclusion Measurements obtained by tape measure and compass are not identical. Therefore, once the measurement tool is chosen, it should be used for the pre- and postoperative measurements in a standardized way. Level of Evidence IV This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .