Technology to the rescue.

I wholeheartedly agree with the Letter to the Editor by Dr. Arthur W. Perry, Dr. Michael Sosin, and Ms. Meredith Perry in the September 2011 issue of Aesthetic Surgery Journal.1 In their correspondence, the authors recommend applying a “spirit level,” as used by engineers, to confirm symmetric and level markings for nipples. I would like to make an additional suggestion: many “smartphones” have an accelerometer feature or “app” option that can turn the device into an instant spirit level. Since most surgeons already have such a phone in their pocket, this is a handy tool. Other apps convert the screen into a ruler, which enables surgeons to quickly measure small distances. Pictured here is an iPhone 4 featuring a free level app, which can be placed alongside the straight edge from a chart or book to confirm symmetric positions.