Outpatient versus inpatient cervical cerclage.

The outcomes in 125 cases of elective, outpatient cerclage placement were compared to those in 101 cases of elective, inpatient cerclage placement with the same technique at the same institution. There was no difference between the two groups in the rates of early and late complications or in the effect of the procedure on the duration of gestation. As expected, a statistically significantly shorter hospital stay occurred in the outpatient group. The outpatient procedure is as effective as the inpatient one, with no increased risk of early and late complications, and offers patients a shorter absence from home, thus possibly decreasing their anxiety, and considerable financial savings.