Predictive Imaging: From 2D Photographs to 3D Surgical Planning

Abstract

Computer vision models are reshaping surgical planning by transforming standard 2D clinical photos into 3D surfaces, depth maps, and predictive simulations. While plastic surgery adopted photographic standards early, every surgical specialty now benefits from improved anatomical visualization, enhanced patient counseling, and more precise operative planning. This article reviews the methods, use cases, and ethical safeguards for predictive imaging.

Keywords

computer vision, photogrammetry, depth estimation, 3D reconstruction, surgical planning