Vaginal Tissue Properties versus Increased Intra-Abdominal Pressure: A Preliminary Biomechanical Study

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2011

Authors

Pedro A L S Martins (Author) FEUP; Renato M N Natal Jorge (Author) FEUP; Antonio J M Ferreia (Author) FEUP; Cristina S Saleme (Author) Other; Thuane Roza (Author) Other; Marco M P Parente (Author) FEUP; Marcos Pinotti (Author) Other; Teresa Mascarenhas (Author) FMUP; Agostinho Santos (Author) Other; Liliana Santos (Author) Other; Agnaldo L Silva Filho (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation

Vol. 71

Pages: 145-150

ISSN: 0378-7346

Publisher: Karger

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 9 Citations

Scopus - 11 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Clinical medicine

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-YN2

DOI: 10.1159/000315160

Abstract (EN): Background/Aims: This study aims to evaluate the pelvic floor (PF) tension response during simulated increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and the vaginal biomechanical properties. Methods: A 3-dimensional computational finite element model for PF was developed based on magnetic resonance imaging from a nulliparous healthy volunteer. The model was used to simulate an IAP of 90 cm H(2)O and to evaluate the PF stresses in the longitudinal and transversal axes. The vaginal samples were obtained from 15 non-prolapsed female cadavers. A uniaxial tensile test to obtain stiffness and maximum stress of vaginal tissue in the longitudinal and transversal axes was performed. Results: The simulated IAP was associated with a similar PF stress state in the longitudinal and transversal axes. The stiffness and maximum stress in vaginal tissues presented a great variability between subjects. There was no difference in the vaginal tissue elasticity (6.2 +/- 1.5 vs. 5.4 +/- 1.1 MPa; p = 0.592) and maximum stress (2.3 +/- 0.5 vs. 2.6 +/- 0.9 MPa; p = 0.692) regarding the measurements in the longitudinal and transversal axes. Conclusion: The isotropic biomechanical behavior of vagina is in agreement with the PF stress state response during increased IAP. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6