Characterization of the biomechanical properties of the pubovisceralis muscle of two women — One with pelvic organ prolapse and other without pathology

Abstract

The pelvic floor muscles (PFM) consist of pubococcygeus, ileococcygeuys, coccygeus and puborectalis muscles. The pubococcygeus and puborectalis muscles have been collectively called as the pubovisceralis muscle, due to the difficulty to differentiate these muscles [1]. Pelvic floor dysfunctions — such as urinary incontinence (UI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) — can be associated with different risk factors. The most common risk factors responsible for these changes are vaginal delivery, hormonal changes, obesity, aging, among other, affecting the biomechanical behavior of the PFM [2]. In this sense, the mechanical characteristics of the female pelvic floor are relevant to understand the pelvic dysfunctions. The aim of the present work is to present distinct values of the material constants of the Yeoh hyperelastic constitutive model applied to pubovisceralis muscle of two women — one with POP and other without pathology. For this purpose, we used an optimization scheme, involving an inverse finite element analysis (FEA) and Powell's algorithm, using input information non-invasively (Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)).