Engineering software-based evaluation of pelvic floor muscle defects in anterior vaginal wall prolapse

To assess the relationship between pelvic floor muscle morphology and anterior vaginal wall prolapse using MRI 3D reconstruction and engineering software. This study conducted a retrospective analysis involving 68 patients diagnosed with anterior vaginal wall prolapse. Magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the relevant pelvic floor muscles from these patients were utilized for three-dimensional reconstruction using Mimics. Subsequently, the IGS models generated by Geomagic Wrap were employed for material property assignment and analysis within SolidWorks. The muscle models were then transformed into visual simulation entities, facilitating the derivation of metrics such as, volume, and surface area of the muscles associated with anterior vaginal wall prolapse. This methodology allowed for a direct assessment of muscle tissue defects and symmetry. In patients with anterior vaginal wall prolapse, statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in the volume, and maximum thickness of the bulbocavernosus muscle relative to the POP-Q grading of anterior vaginal wall prolapse. Whether there was damage to the obturator internus, ischiocavernosus, levator ani muscle, external urethral sphincter, and external anal sphincter muscles was statistically significant in relation to anterior vaginal wall prolapse (P < 0.05). Symmetry of the ischiocavernosus and levator ani muscle also showed statistical significance concerning anterior vaginal wall prolapse (P < 0.05). Factors related to the level of anterior vaginal wall prolapse included the maximum thickness of the bulbocavernosus muscle (OR = 0.005719), damage to the ischiocavernosus muscle (OR = 0.084754), damage to the levator ani muscle (OR = 0.083995), damage to the external urethral sphincter (OR = 0.005917), and damage to the external anal sphincter (OR = 0.004091) (P < 0.05). Utilizing engineering software and 3D reconstruction to create muscle models offers an impartial and three-dimensional depiction of the morphological alterations in pelvic floor muscles, along with their connection to anterior vaginal wall prolapse. This can help predict and manage the potential impacts on patients.