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Background: The prime aims of this study were to establish cephalometric linear and angular normative values of the lower face using a three-dimensional (3D) analysis in Korean individuals, and validate whether the linear and angular measurements using 3D laser scanner are comparable with measurements using 3D computed tomography (CT). Methods: In this study, 40 Korean individuals aged between 18 and 60 years were enrolled. Using 3D CT scan and 3D laser scanner, linear and angular values of the lower face were measured and recorded. Statistical analysis was carried out to verify the concordance and correlation between two 3D imaging modalities. Results: The 40 samples consisted of 11 women with a mean age of 40.8 ± 14.5 years and 29 men with a mean age of 29.7 ± 15.0 years. The results demonstrated the difference between sex and the tendency of asymmetry on both sides. Among different methods of measuring angular values, the gonial angle (GA) between tragion’ (Tr’)-gonion’ (Go’)-menton’ (Me’) from 3D laser scanning and between articulate-gonion-menton from CT scan demonstrated a good concordance and a high correlation. Conclusions: The GA measured between Tr’-Go’-Me’ using a 3D facial laser scan was comparable with values from 3D CT scan. The reference points and the GA, which we assessed here for 3D laser scanning, can be a reliable alternative method evaluating mandibular angles for assessing patients and surgical planning in plastic and orthognathic surgery.

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync/ 3.0/) which permits unrestricted noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.Purpose: To evaluate the tensile strength and repair-site profile of a technique of resorbable barbed suture tenorrhaphy. Methods: Forty-eight flexor digitorum profundus tendons were collected from the 8 adult cadavers. In the test group, the tendons were sutured using absorbent 2-0 barb knotless sutures in a 2-strand or 4-strand zig-zag pattern. In the control group, 2-0 Prolene and 3-0 polydioxanone (PDS) were used to suture the tendons using the 2-stand Modified Kessler method and the 4-strand cruciate suture method. Using a tensile force measurement machine, the breaking load (N) and the stiffness (N/mm) were measured. The types of rupture were categorized into suture breaking, knot rupture, and pullout. Results: In the comparative analysis between the absorbent 2-0 Quill (Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Canada) suture that used the 2-strand core suture and the 3-0 PDS and 2-0 Prolene sutures, the average breaking load for the 2-0 Quill suture was 26.83±7.47 N, and 21.96±6.78 N and 17.20±4.93 N for the 2-0 Prolene and 3-0 PDS sutures. In the comparison using the 4-strand core suture, the average breaking load for the 2-0 Quill suture was 62.50±13.34 N, and 22.35±5.72 N and 18.67±4.27 N for the 2-0 prolene and 3-0 PDS sutures. The most common type of rupture were knot rupture. Conclusion: For flexor tendon sutures using the absorbent barb sutures, compared to the conventional 2-0 Prolene or 3-0 PDS sutures, absorbent barbed sutures have a higher tensile strength.