Aesthetic breast surgery is entering a new era, one where geographical distance no longer limits access to expert surgical planning. A recent study published in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open (November 2025) provides compelling clinical evidence that remote consultations supported by Arbrea’s 3D simulation technology can deliver the same level of accuracy as traditional in-person assessments.
Authored by Dr. Carlotta Barbon, Dr. Maximilian Otte, and Dr. Per Hedén, the research evaluates how modern surgeons can integrate AI-driven 3D tools into preoperative workflows to streamline international practice, improve patient engagement, and maintain surgical precision.
Why Remote Surgical Planning Is Growing
Patients today are more mobile, more connected, and more willing to seek out specialists beyond their local region. This shift has accelerated the need for tools that allow surgeons to:
Perform accurate assessments without an in-office visit
Provide realistic visualizations of outcomes
Reduce travel requirements
Maintain confidentiality and data protection
Increase efficiency for international or cross-border practices
Arbrea Breast Simulator, designed for iPad, iPhone, and MacBook, has become a key enabler of this transition thanks to AI-based simulations, deep learning models, and on-device edge computing, ensuring privacy and speed without cloud processing.
Study Overview
The research followed 15 consecutive patients who completed their first consultation online. Using images taken at home and simple tape-measure guidelines, surgeons were able to generate a precise 3D reconstruction and simulate implant choices directly on a mobile device.
Unlike traditional workflows, all preoperative planning—implant volume, shape selection, and surgical strategy—was finalized before the patient arrived in person.
Main Outcomes
1. Perfect Accuracy in Implant Selection
A standout result:
Every implant chosen during the online consultation matched the implant used during surgery.
This included:
0 intraoperative adjustments
Correct selection confirmed in 100% of patients
Only one implant per breast needed for the majority of cases (80%)
This demonstrates that the combination of patient measurements + Arbrea’s 3D modeling is reliable enough to support precise planning remotely.
2. Conversion Rates Remain High
Despite being conducted entirely online, the virtual consultations resulted in an 87% conversion rate, closely mirroring the 90% achieved through in-person visits.
This finding is particularly relevant for surgeons expanding into international markets, where patient travel can create friction or second-guessing.
3. Technology That Supports Remote, Privacy-Safe Planning
The study highlights several technical aspects of Arbrea Breast Simulator that make it suitable for remote workflows:
Fully on-device processing: data never leaves the iPad/iPhone/MacBook
Deep learning reconstruction: accurate anatomic modeling from three basic photos
AR visualization: real-time augmented reality on the patient’s own body
Fast performance: simulations generated in approx. 90 seconds
Multiple viewing modes: 3D mesh, volumetric analysis, AR overlay
This combination supports both patient understanding and surgeon accuracy, even from afar.
What This Means for Aesthetic Surgery
The article’s authors emphasize that virtual planning is not intended to replace in-clinic assessments entirely.
However, it provides significant advantages in specific scenarios:
International patients seeking expert surgeons
Busy clinics optimizing consultation flow
Patients who prefer remote communication
Follow-up evaluations and postoperative check-ins
Pre-selection of implant families and volumes before surgery
This study offers solid, peer-reviewed confirmation that remote-first planning can be both safe and effective when supported by advanced 3D tools.
Authors
Dr. Carlotta Barbon
Dr. Carlotta Barbon is a Swiss-trained plastic surgeon specializing in aesthetic breast and body procedures. With experience at Johns Hopkins and the University Hospital of Zurich, she combines advanced surgical expertise with modern digital planning methods.
Dr. Per Hedén
Professor Per Hedén is a world-renowned aesthetic breast surgeon and founder of Akademikliniken in Stockholm. A leading innovator in implant techniques and microsurgery, he is one of the field’s most influential educators and researchers.
Dr. Maximilian Otte
Dr. Maximilian Otte is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 15 years of international experience in aesthetic breast and facial surgery. He is widely recognized for pioneering remote-first workflows and digital surgical planning.
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