A Computer-Based Method of Filing Photographs and Procedures

Careful preoperative and postoperative photographs are an essential part of facial plastic surgery for medical and legal documentation, publication, patient education, and lectures. Computers play an increasing role in many aspects of the medical practice. A method of filing photographs and procedures and a related data base system allows rapid access by multiple factors, including name, procedure, age, surgeon, assistants, anesthetic, complications, dates of all photographs, multiple procedure subheadings, and so on. Additional variables can be added as a data base for analysis of operation results and postoperative recall of patients. This system is based on a personal computer (IBM-PC Computer) and readily available software. The system allow simple entry and retrieval of photographs on any of the multiple variables. We found it to be a superb adjunct to photography in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery.