A FINITE-ELEMENT FACIAL MODEL FOR SIMULATING PLASTIC-SURGERY

CAPS (Computer-Aided Plastic Surgery) is a prototype computer program that uses a three-dimensional graphic model of a human face and incorp orates a finite-element mathematical model of the physical properties of the soft tissue. This program can estimate the biomechanic conseque nces of ablation and rearrangement of tissue. The results of two hypot hetical surgeries on the face are presented. A surgeon could use this program as a sketch pad to predict and compare the outcome of facial p lastic procedures on a patient-specific model. The relation of this pr ogram to previous work is discussed, and directions for research and p ossible applications are addressed.