LAETA researcher awarded for research in the women's health area

The investigation "Simulation of vaginal uterosacral ligament suspension damage, mimicking a mesh-augmented apical prolapse repair”, led by Maria Elisabete Teixeira da Silva, a LAETA researcher, won the Biomedical Division Duncan Dowson Prize 2023.

The main goal of the work was to evaluate, through modeling and simulation, the behavior of synthetic implants used to replace a damaged uterosacral ligament, mimicking a sacrocolpopexy repair. The results of this research, says Maria Elisabete Silva, could have an impact on the health industry.

"The main conclusion is that computer modeling and simulation of pelvic caries can be an essential tool in the design and development of new implants, shortening the lead time for launching new, safer and more effective implants”, explains the researcher.

This computational tool, in the future, could be used to predict the outcome of pelvic surgery with native tissues and/or synthetic and biodegradable implants and, thus, change the way the healthcare sector and hospitals deal with organ prolapse pelvic.

In addition, computer simulation studies of the pelvic cavity can help the manufacturers validate the surgical meshes for regulatory purposes.

"The computational achievements may contribute to medical training, define the optimal treatment for each patient, maximize treatment benefit and minimize adverse effects, comfort the patient, and ultimately reduce the number of re-operations”, adds Maria Elisabete Silva.