SLAM-based Surgical Guidance For Breast Reconstruction Surgery

In 2018, 31.3% of the patients with stage I and stage II cancer underwent mastectomy in the United States. The loss of the breast mound post mastectomy alters the physical appearance of the patient and can have signifi- cant detrimental effect on the body image and mental health of patients [1]. Breast reconstruction surgery (BRS) using DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforators) flap utilizes redundant lower abdominal skin and fat for reconstruction of breast mound. Due to its composition of fat similar to native breast, the flap has the advantage of superior aesthetic contours of the reconstructed breast [2], [3]. However, in order to establish the best flap shape and volume, the surgeon must have finesse and intuition [4]. Asymmetry of the breast can lead to a lower quality of life and a badly reconstructed breast is a constant reminder of the disease. Thus, it is crucial to have an accurate, reliable and accessible method to assess breast volume and shape to plan the reconstruction. Our study proposes the use of a low-cost RGB-D camera to scan the contralateral breast of a patient who has undergone mastectomy and 3D print a mirrored mold to guide the surgeon to establish the best shape (see Figure 1)