Cervical cerclage: an established intervention with neglected potential?

Cervical cerclage is a common obstetric procedure, performed in an attempt to reduce the likelihood of late miscarriage and preterm delivery. Many questions still remain unanswered, however, regarding its efficacy and the populations most likely to benefit. Existing studies often use endpoints such as preterm delivery, but associations between preterm birth and more long-term health effects such as neurodevelopmental sequelae are well reported. Such endpoints have often not been addressed in many of the studies to date. This article reviews and appraises the literature and evidence regarding cervical cerclage as well as addressing the questions that, as yet, remain unanswered.