Labor outcomes after Shirodkar cerclage.

OBJECTIVE

To describe labor outcomes in women who had a Shirodkar cerclage placed during pregnancy and removed before labor.

METHODS

A review was conducted of 69 patients with a singleton pregnancy and a Shirodkar cervical cerclage placed before 24 weeks' gestation. Indications for cerclage were history indicated, ultrasound indicated or physical examination indicated.

RESULTS

The mean time from cerclage removal to delivery was 9.4 +/- 8.8 days. The overall cesarean delivery rate was 18.8%, with the majority (9 of 13) being for fetal indications. Two (2.9%) patients had a uterine rupture of an unscarred uterus and 2 (2.9%) patients had an umbilical cord prolapse. Four (5.8%) patients had a cervical laceration requiring repair.

CONCLUSION

Patients with a Shirodkar cerclage placed and removed during the index pregnancy appear to have a higher than expected rate of cesarean delivery for fetal indications and complications associated with significant neonatal morbidity including uterine rupture and cord prolapse.