The Influence of Scar Patterns After Reduction Mammoplasty on Eye Movement and Gaze Pattern: An Eye-Tracking Investigation

Abstract

Background: Given that scars are acknowledged as the primary cause of postoperative dissatisfaction following reduction mammoplasty, it is imperative to comprehend the patient’s visual perception of different scar patterns in order to enhance patient satisfaction. To achieve this, eye-tracking technology provides an unbiased method of evaluating how observers assess breast scars. Methods: 58 participants (32 females and 26 males) between the ages of 19 and 82 years (mean age of 29.47 ± 10.98 years) were shown 18 color photographs, taken at 3 viewing angles (right 45° oblique, frontal and frontal view with arms raised), from 6 patients undergone reduction mammoplasty with the inverted T-scar technique (3 patients) or no-vertical-scar technique (3 patients). The images were presented to every participant for a fixed duration of 5 s each. Eye-tracking device was used to collect and analyze the gaze data of viewers. Results: The nipple-areola complex (NAC) and the periareolar scar captured observers’ gaze faster, had longer duration and more count of eye fixation than all other parts of breast scars, regardless of the viewing angle and scar pattern. Moreover, the scar region in the inverted T-scar pattern received greater and faster visual attraction of observer’s gaze than the no-vertical-scar pattern. Conclusion: The NAC and the periareolar scar seem to be perceived as the most important regions for breast aesthetics. The findings can be helpful to assist plastic surgeons in determining the most appropriate technique for reduction mammoplasty, meanwhile underlining the importance of a fine periareolar scar and symmetric NAC for excellent aesthetic outcomes. This is to our best knowledge the first study using eye-tracking technology in evaluating reduction mammoplasty outcomes. This study explored the influence of different scar patterns after reduction mammoplasty on eye movements and gaze patterns among observers. The study have validated the significance of the NAC and the periareolar scar for breast aesthetics and revealed that the scar region in the inverted T-scar pattern may be judged less visually attractive than the no-vertical-scar pattern. Level of Evidence V: 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.