Evaluation of outcomes after transabdominal cervicoisthmic cerclage.

PURPOSE: To evaluate maternal and neonatal outcomes after transabdominal cerclage.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 15 patients receiving transabdominal cerclage. Using the patient's prior pregnancy as her own control, we assessed the effect of this procedure on gestational age and neonatal survival.

RESULTS

All patients had experienced a prior pregnancy loss. Twelve out of the 15 patients (80%) had at least one prior failed vaginal cerclage. The median gestational age at surgery was 14 (range 12-16) weeks. There was one case of surgical site infection. After cerclage, the proportion of women delivered beyond 32 weeks was significantly higher [11/15 (73.3%) vs. 1/15 (6.7%), P=0.0016], as was neonatal survival [12/15 (80%) vs. 1/15 (6.7%), P=0.0009].

CONCLUSIONS

While transabdominal cerclage is a major surgical procedure, subsequent pregnancy outcomes were improved.