Role of photography in plastic surgery: A review

Clinical photography is central to plastic surgery for documenting anatomy, planning procedures, evaluating outcomes, teaching, research, and medicolegal records. Digital imaging has improved access but created challenges in reproducibility, consent, privacy, and image integrity. To review the clinical applications, technical standards, ethical requirements, security practices, and emerging technologies relevant to clinical photography in plastic surgery. This narrative review synthesizes the literature and professional guidance cited in the source manuscript on photographic standardization, region-specific views, video documentation, consent, digital storage, cybersecurity, three-dimensional imaging, artificial intelligence, and blockchain. It is a practical overview rather than a systematic review. Reliable comparison requires consistent equipment, distance, lighting, background, patient positioning, framing, and image handling. Written consent should specify intended uses, and identifiable images should be stored and shared through institutionally approved secure systems. Three-dimensional imaging and AI may improve measurement and outcome analysis but raise concerns about bias, authenticity, and governance. Standardized protocols and secure, consent-based image management remain essential. Emerging technologies may strengthen assessment and communication if clinical judgment, privacy, and image integrity remain central.