Statistical shape analysis of nose in Turkish young adults

Abstract

There are several anthropometric studies regarding the nose, however none of them involves data about a statistical shape analysis. In this study, a landmark-based geometric morphometric technique was used to analyze the nasal shapes in a young Turkish adult population.

A population of 75 female and 75 male volunteer Turkish young adults whose ages ranged 18 39 years (24.82 +/- 5.64 year) was examined. The stratified sampling method was used to determine the subjects according to the seven main geographic regions of Turkey. All data was obtained from standardized digital photographic images taken from anterior, lateral and inferior aspects by using standard anthropometric measurement methods. Euclidean Distance Matrix Analysis (EDMA) is used to calculate all possible linear distances among landmarks by creating matrixes for each subject.

Today, the anthropometric methods and surgical practice intersected at a point to treat the congenital or post-traumatic facial disfigurements in various racial or ethnic groups. Rhinoplasty surgeons require access to facial databases based on accurate anthropometric measurements to perform optimum correction in both sexes. There should be some points brought to mind during the cosmetic nasal surgery for men because of different expectations, which is not technically different from the one for women. This study is a way to clarify these important points and a basis for further clinical studies enhancing the plans of the corrective surgery.