The Apical Angle: A Mathematical Analysis of the Ellipse

BACKGROUNDThe elliptical excision is a common surgical procedure. The dermatologic literature predominantly describes an excisional geometry with a 3:1 length:width ratio and an apical angle of 30°. OBJECTIVETo analyze the elliptical excision by applying mathematical principles and define the apical...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Dermatologic surgery 2001-01, Vol.27 (1), p.61-63
Main Authors: MOODY, BRENT R, McCARTHY, JOHN E, SENGELMANN, ROBERTA D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Dermatologic Surgical Procedures
Dermatology - methods
Humans
Mathematics
Medical sciences
Skin plastic surgery
Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases
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Summary:BACKGROUNDThe elliptical excision is a common surgical procedure. The dermatologic literature predominantly describes an excisional geometry with a 3:1 length:width ratio and an apical angle of 30°. OBJECTIVETo analyze the elliptical excision by applying mathematical principles and define the apical angle and its relationship to the length:width ratio. METHODSWe examined numerous examples of elliptical excisions as presented in the dermatologic literature. We analyzed the geometry of the excisions and defined it mathematically. RESULTSThe apical angle of a 3:1 elliptical excision is not 30°. The true apical angle varies from 37° to 74° depending on excisional geometry. CONCLUSIONThe commonly presented apical angle of 30° is incorrect and does not reflect the true apical angle of elliptical excisions.
ISSN:1076-0512
1524-4725
DOI:10.1097/00042728-200101000-00018