The efficacy of cervical cerclage.

A retrospective study of the outcome of pregnancy in 187 women with cervical cerclage revealed a three-fold increase in the crude perinatal survival rate. The McDonald and Shirodkar techniques produced comparable results. Mersilene was as effective as black silk. A significant number of pregnancies with cerclage insertion prior to 14 weeks ended in spontaneous abortions. Postcerclage morbidity was minimal, and abdominal delivery was indicated in only four patients for cervical dystocia. The continued use of this procedure, for selected cases, is justified.