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Finite Element Uterine Model for Understanding Brachial Plexus Injuries
Voiceover
Presenter(s)(s)
Lily Craig Malich
Presentation Number
1423
Abstract or Description
Birth-related brachial plexus injuries occur in 1/1000 births. Brachial plexus injuries occur when the nerves in the neck (brachial plexus nerves) are overstretched or torn during the birthing process. It is believed that these injuries occur by either clinician-applied forces or the maternal forces of labor. This specific birth-related injury can cause loss of movement or total paralysis of the infant's arm as a result of this nerve damage. Brachial plexus injuries can be long-term and severe; however, infants can also recover fully (90%) through normal healing processes or recover partially through surgery. Three-dimensional modeling can help understand how different aspects of labor and delivery affect the stretch in the brachial plexus and the risk of injury. Utilizing a combination of CAD and meshing software, combined with a multi-body model, the forces exerted on an infant during birth can be simulated and the model can be used to help understand the cause of birth-related brachial plexus injuries. This project focused on developing the uterine component of that model. Once the uterine component was developed it was placed into existing fetal and pelvic models to analyze the uterine forces during birth.
Mentor
Michele Grimm
Comments
Matt Harkey3 years ago
Great job with your presentation! The presentation states that a model was created for the fetal head, the uterus, and the pelvic system to understand how brachial plexus injuries occur during childbirth. However, doesn't the fetal torso or shoulder need to also be considered when determining the stress that would be placed on the brachial plexus?
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Lily Craig Malich3 years ago
Yes, the delivery of the fetal head is the first step towards advancing the model to deliver the entire fetal body.
Ivan Mo3 years ago
Interesting topic! I hadn't heard about this before. Are there any particular shortcomings with your model or big next steps that you want to address with your work?
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Lily Craig Malich3 years ago
I had not heard of brachial plexus injuries before I started this research, which seems unusual as they occur in one out of every one thousand births. The next big step would be to include the entire fetus to advance the overall model, which will help with understanding how different aspects of labor and deliver affect the stretch of the brachial plexus nerves.
Brandon Pries3 years ago
Hi Lily, nice presentation! One suggestion I have for future presentations is to use bullet points to break up some of the bigger paragraphs. They will help to clearly indicate the key ideas. Do you have any results on what kinds of forces are exerted on the fetus during birth, or is that the next stage of the project?
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Lily Craig Malich3 years ago
I do not have results, but the forces that are exerted on the fetus during delivery are either maternal (intrauterine pressure) or clinician-applied forces.
Michele Grimm3 years ago
Great job, Lily!
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Nkhensani Mogale3 years ago
Hi Lily, interesting presentation and I cannot wait to read up on the findings after the model is complete. I am just curious if you will be considering including a vagina in the model as that anatomy also has some influence on the birthing process and challenges encountered. I do think it may assist in the final results. Your thoughts?
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