POLAROID PHOTOGRAPHY AS AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF RECORDING CLINICAL MATERIAL IN PLASTIC-SURGERY

Polaroid photography has been used as a method for assessing and recor ding certain plastic surgery cases. It has the advantage of being easi ly and immediately available. Photocopies, in black and white or in co lour, can be obtained and can be enlarged. Either the originals or pho tocopies can be sent to clinicians for rapid appraisal or for their ow n records. This technique is useful whether silhouette or contrast cha nges are important, and it allows immediate presentation to the patien t for discussion and illustration. Several clinical pre- and post-oper ative examples demonstrating these facts are given in photographic for m. The possible advantages of using Polaroid cameras, which rival the quality and cost of conventional photography, are raised.