The influence of the material properties on the biomechanical behavior of the pelvic floor muscles during vaginal delivery

Abstract In this work, a finite element model intends to represent the effects that the passage of a fetal head can induce on the muscles of the pelvic floor, from a mechanical point of view. The finite element method is a valuable tool, that is contributing to the clarification of the mechanisms be...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of biomechanics 2009-06, Vol.42 (9), p.1301-1306
Main Authors: Parente, M.P.L, Natal Jorge, R.M, Mascarenhas, T, Fernandes, A.A, Martins, J.A.C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomechanical Phenomena
Biomechanics
Cadavers
Childbirth & labor
Constitutive model
Delivery, Obstetric
Energy
Fecal incontinence
Female
Fetuses
Finite Element Analysis
Finite element method
Heat treating
Humans
Material parameters
Models, Biological
Muscle Contraction - physiology
Pelvic Floor - physiology
Pelvic floor disorders
Pelvic organ prolapse
Pelvis
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Pregnancy
Simulation
Urinary incontinence
Vagina
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract In this work, a finite element model intends to represent the effects that the passage of a fetal head can induce on the muscles of the pelvic floor, from a mechanical point of view. The finite element method is a valuable tool, that is contributing to the clarification of the mechanisms behind pelvic floor disorders related to vaginal deliveries, although some care is necessary in order to obtain correct results. The present work shows how the variation of the material parameters, used in the constitutive model, can affect the obtained results from a finite element simulation. The constitutive equation adopted in this work for the pelvic floor muscles is a modified form of the incompressible transversely isotropic hyperelastic model proposed earlier by Humphrey and Yin. Results for the pelvic floor strain and stresses obtained during the passage of the fetus head are presented. The results show the importance of the material parameters and the need for a correct constitutive model.
ISSN:0021-9290
1873-2380
DOI:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.03.011