Effect of cerclage on labor course and obstetric outcome: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of cervical cerclage on labor course and obstetric outcome.

METHODS

In a retrospective case-control study, we compared labor course, total labor duration, and obstetric complications in 127 women who received cervical cerclage with 254 controls.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the duration of the first stage of labor (477 ± 576 vs. 373 ± 437 min, p = 0.075) or the second stage of labor (18 ± 17 vs. 20 ± 19 min, p = 0.287) between the 2 groups. In the multivariate analysis, women in the cerclage group were found to be significantly more likely to have a prolonged latent phase (odds ratio [OR], 2.802; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.103-7.120; p = 0.030), cervical laceration (OR, 15.984; 95% CI, 3.169-80.624; p = 0.001), and treatment with tocolytics (OR, 2.580; 95% CI, 1.217-5.468; p = 0.013) than the control group. No significant difference was noted in cesarean delivery rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Cervical cerclage is more likely to be associated with a prolonged latent phase and minor obstetric complications, but not with a difference in the total duration of labor or increased cesarean delivery rate.