Cross-sectional study on aesthetic abdominal wall morphology parameters in East Asian young females
10.3760/cma.j.cn114453-20241007-00253
- VernacularTitle:东亚地区年轻女性美观腹壁形态参数的横断面研究
- Author:
Qi WANG
1
;
Ming ZHU
1
;
Fazhi QI
1
Author Information
1. 复旦大学附属中山医院整形外科，上海 200023
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Abdominal wall;
Abdominoplasty;
Esthetics;
Anthropometry;
Imaging, three-dimensional
- From:
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery
2025;41(9):910-916
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the quantitative characteristics of abdominal wall aesthetics in young East Asian women.Methods:A cross-sectional survey study design was adopted. From June to August 2024, the Department of Plastic Surgery of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University disseminated volunteer recruitment announcements via multiple channels. Young female volunteers from East Asia aged 22-35 years were stratified enrolled according to the demographic ratios (30∶2∶1) of young women aged 22-35 years in China, Japan, and Repubic of Korea reported by authoritative organizations. These volunteers were unanimously evaluated to have an aesthetically "GOOD" abdominal wall via observations by four plastic surgery medical staff and four individuals without a medical background with meeting other inclusion and exclusion criteria. Three-dimensional (3D) photography was utilized to capture and reconstruct the 3D images of the abdominal walls. Key aesthetic landmarks of the abdominal wall were observed and measured. The main parameters include linearity, proportionality, angles, and areas of the umbilicus, abdominal wall depression, rectus abdominis protrusion, and abdominal wall contour. Statistical software (SPSS 26.0) was employed to calculate the average level of each parameter. Continuous variables conforming to the normal distribution were expressed as Mean±SD. Continuous variables that do not conform to the normal distribution were expressed as M( Q1,Q3), and compared using Mann-Whitney U test. Categorical variables were presented as frequencies and proportions (%). P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 63 young East Asian women defined having an aesthetically "GOOD" abdominal wall were enrolled with an age of (26.7±7.4) years and body mass index of (19.6±3.9) kg/m 2. Umbilicus: 52.4%(33/63) umbilicus exhibited a vertical elliptical shape with a vertical diameter of 1.8(1.7, 2.1) cm, transverse diameter of 1.2 (1.0, 1.7) cm, depth of 0.4(0.3, 0.7) cm and projected area of 2.1(1.3, 3.0) cm 2; the presence of a bulge at the base of the umbilicus was relatively rare [6 cases (9.5%)], and no cases were observed protrusion beyond the abdominal wall and most umbilicus were at the lower 3/5 level of abdominal wall. Midline depression: the upper umbilical segment was significantly longer than the lower segment [7.8 (6.7, 8.4) cm vs. 3.6 (2.8, 4.1) cm, P<0.01], with an approximate upper-to-lower ratio of 2∶1; the upper segment was also wider [0.6 (0.5, 0.6) cm vs. 0.4 (0.4, 0.5) cm, P<0.01] and deeper than the lower segment [ 0.4(0.3, 0.6)cm vs. 0.1(0.1, 0.3) cm ( P<0.05)]. Semilunar lines: the left side measured a length of 14.5(10.6, 16.4) cm while right side measured 15.6(14.7, 16.1) cm ( P>0.05). Costal margin depression: the left side measured a depth of 0.3(0.2, 0.4) cm and the right side 0.3(0.2, 0.6) cm ( P>0.05) with infrasternal angle(upper abdominal angle) measuring 72.6°(59.8°, 89.6°). Iliac fossa depression: the depth of left side measured 1.0(0.8, 1.3) cm, while right side 1.0(0.8, 1.1) cm ( P>0.05); the left projected area was 16.4 (14.7, 18.3) cm 2 and right side 15.8(13.6, 17.8) cm 2 ( P>0.05). Rectus abdominis eminence: at costal margin level, the left side measured a width of 4.8 (4.1, 5.1) cm and the right side 4.7(4.1, 4.9) cm ( P>0.05); at umbilical level, the left side width was 4.1(3.7, 4.5) cm and the right side 3.8(3.2, 4.7) cm ( P>0.05); the overall projected area was 36.5(33.7, 38.5) cm 2. Outer contour lines: the length of left side was 33.6(31.5, 35.8) cm and the right side 35.7(31.6, 38.5) cm ( P>0.05); the waistline was located at the 2/5 level of the abdominal wall, approximately 2.4(1.7, 3.6) cm higher than the umbilicus; the outer contour of abdominal wall exhibited a morphology reminiscent of swan-neck vase. Conclusion:Using 3D photography technology, the body surface measurements of the abdominal wall in young East Asian women were conducted to quantify its aesthetic characteristics. The abdominal wall deemed aesthetically pleasing typically exhibits a "swan-neck vase" shape, characterized by relatively fixed landmark points, lines, planes, and proportional relationships. These results reflect the current positive and health-oriented aesthetic preferences prevalent among the general public.
