Towards a Better Understanding of Pelvic System Disorders Using Numerical Simulation

Pauline Lecomte-Grosbras¹, Mouhamadou Nassirou Diallo^{1, 2, 3}, Jean-Francois Witz¹, Damien Marchal², Jeremie Dequidt², Stéphane Cotin², Michel Cosson³, Christian Duriez², and Matthias Brieu¹

¹Laboratoire de Mécanique de Lille, École Centrale de Lille, France

²INRIA, University of Lille 1, France

³CHRU Lille, University of Lille 2, France

Abstract. Genital prolapse is a pathologic hyper-mobility of the organs that forms the pelvic system. Although this is common condition, the pathophysiology of this disorder is not well known. In order to improve the understanding of its origins, we recreate - virtually - this biomechanical pathology using numerical simulation. The approach builds on a finite element model with parameters measured on several fresh cadavers. The meshes are created from a MRI of a healthy woman and the simulation includes the mechanical interactions between organs (contacts, ligaments, adhesion...). The model is validated through comparison of functional mobilities of the pelvic system observed on a dynamic MRI. We then propose to modify, step by step, the model and its parameters to produce a pathologic situation and have a better understanding of the process. It is not a formal proof but the numerical experiments reinforce the clinical hypothesis on the multifactorial origins of the pathology.

LNCS 8151, p. 307 ff.

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