The influence of an occipito-posterior malposition on the biomechanical behavior of the pelvic floor

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2009

Authors

Parente, MPL (Author) FEUP; Natal Jorge, RMN (Author) FEUP; Mascarenhas, T (Author) FMUP; Fernandes, AA (Author) FEUP; Martins, JAC (Author) Other

Journal

Title: European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology

Vol. 144

Pages: S166-S169

ISSN: 0301-2115

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 32 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 39 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Clinical medicine

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-003-KBF

DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2009.02.033

Abstract (EN): Objectives: Contribute to the clarification of the mechanisms behind pelvic floor disorders related to a vaginal delivery. Verify the effect of an occipito-posterior malposition of the fetus during delivery on the stretch values when compared to the normal occipito-anterior position. Study design: A numerical simulation based on the Finite Element Method was carried out. The 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 model used for the simulation represents the pelvic bones, with the attached pelvic floor muscles and the fetus. in this work the movements of the fetus during birth, in vertex position, with the fetus presenting in an occipito-posterior malposition were simulated. The results obtained were compared with a simulation in which the fetus presents in the normal occipito-anterior position. Results: A maximum stretch value of 1.73 was obtained in the numerical simulation conducted on this work, where the occipito-posterior malposition was simulated. Conclusion: During a vaginal delivery, the levator ani muscle and the pubococcygeus muscle are the muscles that are subjected to the largest values Of Stretch and strain. These muscles are the ones at greater risk for a stretch related injury. When compared to the normal occipito-anterior position, the occipito-posterior malposition produces substantially higher Stretch vales for the pelvic floor muscles. increasing the risk for a Stretch related injury.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 4