Complete 3 dimensional reconstruction of parturient pelvic floor

The women pelvic floor is a complex system, which seems to endure several modifications during pregnancy and childbirth. Our primary purpose was to build an extensive 3 dimensional (3D) numerical anatomical model of the women pelvic floor.

First, the role and the location of each organ, muscle, or ligament, were identified through an extensive literature review. Then, different entities were selected because of their visibility and importance in the pelvic floor. Each entity was identified using anatomical knowledge, and outlined on 2 dimensional (2D) MRI images, that were carried out on 4 pregnant women, using sequences T1, T2 and proton density weighted, through AVIZO program. The overlay of these 2D outlines produced a 3D geometrical reconstruction, which was then reworked with the program CATIA to obtain a usable geometric model.

We identified and integrated 15 anatomical structures to the geometrical model, including organs, ligament and muscles from the pelvis and perineum. This geometrical model allowed us to obtain a visual interactive representation with 3D images. These different steps resulted in the creation of a complete numerical model of the female pelvic floor, which might be used in Finite Element simulation.

A new complete and accurate 3D numerical anatomical model of the women pelvic floor was elaborated. It presents simultaneously analytical prospects, through the observation of the strains and deformations that are imposed on the different structures, and educational prospects, through the detailed visual representation of several situations.