Ultrasonic assessment of cervix in 'at risk' patients

One hundred and fifteen women were considered to be at risk of cervical incompetence, judging from their previous history. They were scanned serially from the first trimester to 32 weeks of gestation. Of the 115, 75 women were found to have defective cervix, as assessed on the basis of its length, its overall width and the width of the cervical canal at the level of the internal cervical os, and herniation of the amniotic membrane, with or without fetal parts, into the cervical canal. Sixteen of the 75 women with ultrasonically diagnosed cervical incompetence aborted, 40 needed cervical cerclage, 24 gave birth premature (24 to 34 weeks). Of the 115 women, 40 did not have ultrasonic evidence of cervical incompetence and only one patient gave birth at 36 weeks' gestation, while 39 patients gave birth between 37 and 42 weeks. These 40 women would have had cervical cerclage on the basis of clinical history alone. Ultrasound is an objective method of diagnosing the incompetent cervix and also helps to avoid unnecessary cerclage operations on the basis of history alone.     

A simple scoring system for the treatment of cervical incompetence diagnosed during the second trimester

Twenty-four women with second-trimester cervical incompetence underwent emergency cerclage. The appropriateness of cervical cerclage was analyzed according to a scoring system (Cervical Incompetence Scale; CIS) which measures the degree of cervical effacement, cervical dilatation and protrusion of fetal membranes into the cervical canal. Patients with low CIS (0-3 points) were found to have a more favorable pregnancy outcome than patients with high-score cervical incompetence (5-8 points), i.e. fewer complications following the procedure, 33.3 and 87.5%, respectively, fewer pregnancy losses (22.2 and 75%, respectively) and a significantly prolonged postoperative pregnancy course (mean gestation 33.2 and 24.4 weeks at delivery, respectively). The chances of a successful pregnancy outcome were evaluated at 87.5%; the outcome was successful in patients with low CIS presenting with effacement of the uterine cervix of less than 50%, cervical dilatation of less than 1.5 cm and with fetal membranes remaining in the cervical canal. On the basis of these results, we conclude that the emergency cerclage operation in carefully selected patients with midtrimester cervical incompetence may improve the outcome of pregnancy. This selection is facilitated by the use of a new cervical incompetence scoring system described herein.     

Transvaginal cerclage under ultrasound guidance in cases of severe cervical hypoplasia

Transabdominal cervical cerclage has been advocated for patients with cervical incompetence whose cervix is flush against the vaginal wall. Although several series of successful transabdominal cerclage have been reported, the morbidity of this technique precludes its routine use. We describe five pregnancies in four patients with extreme cervical hypoplasia who underwent successful prophylactic transvaginal cerclage placement at 12-13 weeks' gestation. All patients had a history of intrauterine diethylstilbestrol exposure, and three patients had also undergone cervical conization. In each case, using continuous transabdominal ultrasound guidance, the supravaginal cervix was dissected and two nonabsorbable sutures were placed through the cervix at right angles at the level of the anatomical internal os. There were no perioperative complications, and except for one patient who developed severe preeclampsia at 33 weeks, all patients delivered at term. We believe that the use of ultrasound in cases of severe cervical hypoplasia allows safe transvaginal cerclage placement, obviating the need for abdominal cerclage.     

Prediction of preterm delivery with transvaginal ultrasonography of the cervix in patients with high-risk pregnancies: does cerclage prevent prematurity?

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the predictive accuracy for preterm delivery of transvaginal ultrasonography of the cervix between 14 and 24 weeks' gestation in high-risk patients and to determine whether cerclage prevents preterm delivery in patients with ultrasonographic cervical changes. STUDY DESIGN: Patients with asymptomatic singleton pregnancies at high risk for preterm delivery were followed prospectively from 14 weeks' to 23 weeks 6 days' gestation with transvaginal ultrasonography of the cervix. The subgroup of patients with either a cervical length of <25 mm or funneling of >25% or both was offered McDonald salvage cerclage, which was performed at the discretion of the patient and the obstetrician. The 2 groups (with and without cerclage) were compared for the primary outcome of preterm delivery at <35 weeks' gestation. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-eight women were followed, including 97 (58%) with >/=1 prior 14- to 34-week preterm deliveries. Of 63 (37. 5%) patients identified as having cervical changes, 23 (37%) had preterm delivery; of 105 patients with no cervical changes, 8 (8%) had preterm delivery (relative risk, 4.8; 95% confidence interval, 2. 3-10.1). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of either a short cervix of <25 mm or funneling of >25% or both were 74%, 70%, 37%, and 92%, respectively. Of 63 pregnancies in which there were cervical changes, 39 underwent cerclage and 24 did not. These 2 groups were similar for demographic characteristics, risk factors, and transvaginal ultrasonographic cervical length and funneling but dissimilar for gestational age at identification of cervical changes (18.3 vs 21.2 weeks' gestation in the groups with and without cerclage, respectively; P <.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis after adjustment for gestational age at cervical changes showed no difference in the rate of preterm delivery between the groups with and without cerclage (odds ratio, 1.1; 95% confidence interval, 0.3-4.6). Stratified analysis of patients identified between 18 and 24 weeks revealed 22 pregnancies with cerclage and 22 pregnancies without cerclage, which was similar for all characteristics studied. The incidence of preterm delivery remained similar (27% vs 23%, respectively; P =.7), as did days from cervical changes to delivery (111 vs 96, respectively; P =.2). CONCLUSIONS: Transvaginal ultrasonography of the cervix between 14 and 24 weeks' gestation is a good predictor of preterm delivery in high-risk pregnancies. Cerclage may not prevent preterm delivery in patients identified to be at high risk for this outcome by transvaginal ultrasonography.     

Cervical surveillance as an alternative to elective cervical cerclage for pregnancy management of suspected cervical incompetence

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare the outcome of pregnancies among patients with suspected cervical incompetence treated either by elective cervical cerclage or an alternative management program involving cervical surveillance. DESIGN, SETTING AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study was performed in two groups of patients at risk of cervical incompetence with singleton gestations attending the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia, from 1996 to 2000. The first group was managed by their obstetric carers with an elective cerclage, while the second group was managed conservatively as part of a cervical surveillance program offered to patients attending the Department of Perinatal Medicine for pregnancy care. This program consists of weekly visits from 16 weeks' gestation and involves alternating transvaginal ultrasound assessment of cervical morphometry with cervico-vaginal bacteriology and fetal fibronectin swabs. Empiric insertion of a cerclage is undertaken when there is evidence of significant cervical shortening (cervical canal <2.5 cm in length at 相似文献   

The value of transvaginal ultrasonography in diagnosis and management of cervical incompetence

To determine the value of transvaginal sonography in women with a previous history of second trimester miscarriage due to cervical incompetence, 55 patients were subjected to either elective cervical cerclage or follow-up (every second patient) with weekly evaluations of the cervix by transvaginal ultrasonography. Emergency cerclage was applied when significant cervical changes were noted. All patients were evaluated with cervical cultures and ultrasound. Women with infection, fibroids, uterine malformations and multiple pregnancies were excluded from the study. The study population was divided in two groups. In group I (n=27) elective cerclage was applied during the 14th week. Women in group II (n=28) were subjected to serial weekly evaluations of the cervix by transvaginal ultrasonograms. In 18 cases emergency cerclage was applied due to significant cervical changes. In group I, labor started before the 33rd week in two cases (7.4%), between 33 and 37 weeks in nine (33.3%) and after the 37th week in 16 cases (59.2%). Out of the 18 patients in group II who had cervical cerclage after ultrasonographic evaluation, four (22.2%) delivered before the 33rd week, three (16.6%) between 33 and 37 weeks and 11 (61.1%) after the 37th week. No statistical difference was noted between the two groups referring to pregnancy outcome (p<0.1). We concluded that ultrasound-guided management despite cervical shortening, does not result in unfavorable pregnancy outcome. A significant number of patients can avoid the operation.     

Transvaginal ultrasonography of the cervix length and the prediction of preterm delivery

OBJECTIVE: To determine if cervical shortening between 12 and 28 weeks gestation predicts risk of spontaneous preterm birth or cervical funneling requiring cerclage. STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed retrospectively all the patients who had transvaginal cervical ultrasound assessment during one year. 43 patients who had a second and early third trimester delivery or cerclage placement were chosen for the study. The control group consisted of 78 patients without signs of preterm labor and cervical shortening as assessed by transvaginal ultrasound. The results of the last ultrasound cervical length measurement were correlated with the likelihood of preterm delivery or cervical funneling requiring cerclage. RESULTS: 26 of 121 patients studied delivered preterm and 15 required cervical cerclage because of cervical shortening and funneling. The mean cervical length assessed by ultrasound was 23.22 +/- 3.07 mm in the group with preterm contractions and delivery and 21.99 +/- 7.05 mm in the group with cervical incompetence. In the normal pregnancy group mean cervical length was 35.59 +/- 3.07 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical length of < 3.0 cm and further shortening of the cervix is predictive of preterm delivery or cervical incompetence requiring cerclage.     

The Shirodkar operation: a reappraisal

Sixty-six cerclages were performed by one surgeon in 46 patients with documented cervical incompetence. The mean operative blood loss was 25 ml, and the mean operating time was 18 minutes with no postoperative morbidity. Fifty-five of the pregnancies were carried for at least 37 weeks, eight were delivered before 37 weeks, and three are continuing. Six of the eight preterm deliveries were a result of factors unrelated to cervical incompetence. The two remaining preterm births were probably also unrelated because one occurred 8 days after emergent cerclage placement and the other occurred 12 weeks after the procedure, both as a result of premature rupture of membranes. There were no cesarean deliveries related to the Shirodkar suture. The efficacy of the procedure was demonstrated by a corrected perinatal survival rate of 100% and term delivery of 88%. (Since this article was written all three of the undelivered patients were delivered of infants after 37 weeks' gestation for a term delivery rate of 88% with 100% neonatal survival.     

The prevalence and timing of cervical cerclage placement in multiple gestations.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence and timing of cervical cerclage placement in multiple gestations. METHODS: Our perinatal database was queried for all multiple gestations delivered at Evanston Hospital from 12/95 through 12/00. This list was then cross-matched with billing and medical records for 'incompetent cervix' and 'cerclage.' The medical records of all deliveries /=14 weeks over a 5-year period. The number of patients that underwent cerclage placement was 29 or 3.6%. The mean gestational age at cerclage placement was 18.6+/-4.5 weeks (range 11-24.6). Twelve were elective or prophylactic while 17 were 'urgent' or 'emergent.' The mean gestational age for the 17 emergent cerclages was 21.4+/-2.2 weeks (range 16.6-24.6). When compared with those patients who did not undergo cerclage placement, there was no difference in maternal demographics including age, parity, or previous full-term delivery. There was a significant difference in the gestational age at delivery for the cerclage vs. no cerclage group; 29.3+/-5.6 vs. 34.4+/-4.6 weeks, respectively, and in the frequency of losses at 相似文献   

Noninvasive cerclage for the management of cervical incompetence: a prospective study

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a noninvasive cerclage pessary in the management of cervical incompetence. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study of all pregnant women treated for cervical incompetence during a 4-year period. Women with known risk factors for preterm delivery had transvaginal ultrasonography every 2–3 weeks after 17–19 weeks of gestation. Those with progressive shortening of cervix diagnosed before 30 weeks were treated with a cerclage pessary when the cervical length was ≤25 mm. The pessary was electively removed at 34–36 weeks. The course and outcome of pregnancy were recorded. Results: Thirty-two women were treated with a cerclage pessary. There were nine twin and two triplet pregnancies. Fifteen (47%) had two or more risk factors for preterm delivery. The mean gestational age at cerclage was 23 (17–29) weeks, cervical length 17 (5–25) mm. Two women required delivery before the onset of labor due to severe intrauterine growth restriction and one due to HELLP syndrome. These were excluded from further analysis. In the remaining 29 women, the interval between cerclage and delivery was 10.4 (2–19) weeks, mean gestational age at delivery 34 (22–42) weeks, and birth weight 2,255 (410–4,045) g. Thirteen (45%) women delivered before 34 weeks. There were a total of 35 live-born infants and four intrapartum fetal deaths (all between 22 and 25 weeks gestation). All women complained of increased vaginal discharge, but no other significant complications were observed that could be attributed to the use of pessary. Conclusion : Cerclage pessary may be useful in the management of cervical incompetence. Whether it can be a noninvasive alternative to surgical cerclage merits further investigation.     

Interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha as predictors of success after emergent cerclage

Serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured in patients requiring an emergent cerclage to determine if they are predictive of successful pregnancy outcome. Women with a clinical diagnosis of cervical incompetence requiring an emergent cerclage between 15 and 24 weeks gestation were enrolled. Asymptomatic women of the same gestational age range were recruited as controls. IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Twenty-one women underwent emergent cerclage and participated in the study, 15 (71%) of whom delivered after 28 weeks. Twenty-one women served as controls. IL-6 levels were increased in women with cervical incompetence compared with control subjects, but there were no differences between cerclage success and failure groups. TNF-alpha was not increased in women with cervical incompetence and did not predict success of emergent cerclage. IL-6 levels were increased in women with cervical incompetence who required an emergent cerclage.     

紧急宫颈环扎术治疗晚期难免流产40例临床分析

目的探讨紧急宫颈环扎术治疗晚期难免流产的临床价值。方法选取2008年11月至2010年8月中国医科大学附属盛京医院晚期难免流产孕妇65例,40例施行紧急宫颈环扎术,25例未采取手术干预,仅用保胎药物,并卧床休息。统计入院时宫颈情况及术后延长孕周情况。结果 40例紧急宫颈环扎术均成功实施,对产妇无不良影响,平均延长孕期为53.30d。33例患者得存活新生儿。25例未实行紧急宫颈环扎术患者保胎失败23例,发生流产,延长孕期为4.48d。4例患者得存活新生儿。结论紧急宫颈环扎术能有效地延长宫颈机能不全患者的孕周,明显提高新生儿存活率。     

Diagnostic ultrasound in the assessment of patients with incompetent cervix

Twenty-five pregnant women with suspected cervical incompetence were assessed by serial ultrasound. A dilating internal os was documented in one patient, incompetence was ruled out in two, and a 'slipping suture' was demonstrated in another; the remaining patients were subjected to cerclage on the basis of their history alone. Patients in whom the diagnosis of cervical incompetence is indefinite should have a diagnostic ultrasound scan to visualize the cervix for length, opening of the canal and integrity of the internal os. Selective ultrasonography may be beneficial in both the diagnosis and treatment of cervical incompetence.     

Fetal salvage with cervical cerclage

A prospective study to evaluate the fetal salvage rate, cervical morbidity and cesarean section rate in patients with cervical incompetence using a cerclage procedure was conducted at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria. The study group consisted of 71 patients who gave a history suggestive of cervical incompetence, had a dilated cervix at booking and included emergency patients in whom the cervix had dilated because of a febrile illness but had never undergone a cervical cerclage procedure. The fetal salvage rate was 23.7% in pregnancies occurring before and 94.4% after cervical cerclage procedure was performed. There were 57 term pregnancies, 10 pre-term deliveries, and 4 abortions. The study clearly demonstrates the beneficial effects of cervical cerclage operations in patients who have suffered from preventable fetal losses because their incompetent cervix was undiagnosed. Our results were compared with those of other series. The diagnosis of cervical incompetence is discussed with particular emphasis on the use of screening tests in the detection and identification of cervical incompetence.     

Relationship between endocervical canal length between 15–24 weeks gestation and obstetric history

The object was to determine whether there is a correlation between the obstetric history and the ultrasonographically determined endocervical canal length between 15 and 24 weeks gestation. A retrospective cohort study was performed in singleton pregnancies of multigravidas with normal and abnormal obstetric histories. They underwent sonographic evaluation for the determination of the endocervical canal length between 15 and 24 weeks gestation. The shortest endocervical canal length measurements between 15 and 20 weeks and also between 21 and 24 weeks of gestation were recorded. An ultrasound diagnosis of cervical incompetence was defined as progressive shortening of the endocervical canal length to > 2 cm or a single endocervical canal length measurement > 2 cm. A multivariable general linear regression model was used to correlate the relationship between endocervical canal lengths at 15–20 weeks and 21–24 weeks gestation in the current pregnancy with the earliest gestational age at delivery of prior pregnancies. Chi-square test was used to determine the relationship between the development of an ultrasound diagnosis of cervical incompetence and the earliest gestational age at delivery of prior pregnancies. A total of 155 pregnancies were studied. The number of women according to the obstetric history categories were: 57 had delivered > 24 weeks, 12 between 24 and 26 weeks, 16 between 27 and 32 weeks, 16 between 33 and 36 weeks, and 54 delivered 37 weeks. There was a significant correlation between the endocervical canal length measurements between 15–20 (P > 0.0001) weeks and 21–24 weeks (P > 0.0001) in the studied pregnancy and the earliest gestational age at delivery of prior pregnancies. A significant relationship between the ultrasound diagnosis of cervical incompetence and the obstetric history category (P = 0.0026) was observed. There were 36 cases of ultrasound diagnosed cervical incompetence with 91.7% (33/36) occurring in women who had a prior > 27 weeks' gestation delivery. These data provide further evidence that cervical incompetence is a relative condition and not an “all or none” phenomenon. In addition, women with a prior delivery > 30 weeks gestation should be followed with second trimester serial cervical sonography to rule out cervical incompetence.     

Final results of the Cervical Incompetence Prevention Randomized Cerclage Trial (CIPRACT): therapeutic cerclage with bed rest versus bed rest alone.

OBJECTIVE: To compare preterm delivery rates (before 34 weeks of gestation) and neonatal morbidity and mortality in patients with risk factors or symptoms of cervical incompetence managed with therapeutic McDonald cerclage and bed rest versus bed rest alone. STUDY DESIGN: Cervical length was measured in patients with risk factors or symptoms of cervical incompetence. Risk factors for cervical incompetence included previous preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation that met clinical criteria for the diagnosis of cervical incompetence, previous preterm premature rupture of membranes before 32 weeks of gestation, history of cold knife conization, diethylstilbestrol exposure, and uterine anomaly. When a cervical length of <25 mm was measured before a gestational age of 27 weeks, a randomization for therapeutic cerclage and bed rest (cerclage group) or bed rest alone (bed rest group) was performed. The analysis is based on intention to treat. RESULTS: Of the 35 women who met the inclusion criteria, 19 were allocated randomly to the cerclage group and 16 to the bed rest group. Both groups were comparable for mean cervical length and mean gestational age at time of randomization, mean overall 20 mm and 21 weeks. Preterm delivery before 34 weeks was significantly more frequent in the bed rest group than in the cerclage group (7 of 16 vs none, respectively; P =.002). There was no statistically significant difference in neonatal survival between the groups (13 neonates survived in the bed rest group vs all in the cerclage group). The compound neonatal morbidity, defined as admission to the neonatal intensive care unit or neonatal death, was significantly higher in the bed rest group than in the cerclage group (8 of 16 vs 1 of 19, respectively; P =.005; RR = 9.5, 95% CI, 1.3-68.1). CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic cerclage with bed rest reduces preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation and compound neonatal morbidity in women with risk factors and/or symptoms of cervical incompetence and a cervical length of <25 mm before 27 weeks of gestation.     

子宫颈机能不全合并中重度宫腔粘连的处理

目的探讨子宫颈机能不全合并中重度宫腔粘连患者的诊断和治疗经验。方法回顾性分析2017年9月至2019年12月在中南大学湘雅三医院诊治的11例子宫颈机能不全合并中、重度宫腔粘连患者的诊断和治疗的相关资料,并随访治疗后的妊娠结局。结果11例患者术前均有典型的中孕期无痛性子宫颈扩张病史,其中7例宫腔镜术前子宫颈内口可无阻力通过7号扩宫棒,但另4例因子宫颈管和宫腔下段粘连无法置入扩宫棒,而在宫腔粘连松解术后3个月复查宫腔镜前用7号宫颈扩张器无阻力通过子宫颈内口进一步明确诊断。宫腔粘连及孕前经腹腔镜子宫颈环扎术后妊娠率63.6%(7/11),6例已分娩,活产率100%,另1例现孕11周,无不适。结论子宫颈机能不全合并宫腔下段或子宫颈管粘连时,需先分离粘连后再用7号扩宫棒评估子宫颈而进一步明确诊断;子宫颈机能不全合并中重度宫腔粘连患者行孕前腹腔镜子宫颈环扎的预后较好。     

Diagnostic ultrasound in the assessment of patients with incompetent cervix

Summary. Twenty-five pregnant women with suspected cervical incompetence were assessed by serial ultrasound. A dilating internal os was documented in one patient, incompetence was ruled out in two, and a ';sliing suture' was demonstrated in another; the remaining patients were subjected to cerclage on the basis of their history alone. Patients in whom the diagnosis of cervical incompetence is indefinite should have a diagnostic ultrasound scan to visualize the cervix for length, opening of the canal and integrity of the internal os. Selective ultrasonography may be beneficial in both the diagnosis and treatment of cervical incompetence.     

Cervical incompetence prevention randomized cerclage trial (CIPRACT): study design and preliminary results

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare different management strategies for women at risk for cervical incompetence. STUDY DESIGN: In an ongoing randomized trial patients with a previous preterm delivery at <34 weeks' gestation who met clinical criteria for the diagnosis of cervical incompetence are allocated to receive a prophylactic cerclage (prophylactic cerclage group) or not (observational group) in a proportion of 1:2. Transvaginal ultrasonographic follow-up examination of the cervix is performed in both groups. When a patient of the latter group has a cervical length <25 mm at <27 weeks' gestation, a further random assignment of therapeutic cerclage or no cerclage is performed. The analysis is by intent to treat. RESULTS: Primary random assignment allocated 23 women to the prophylactic cerclage group and 44 to the observational group. Both groups were comparable with respect to obstetric history. No significant difference was found between the prophylactic cerclage group and the observational group in preterm delivery at <34 weeks' gestation (3/23 vs 6/44, respectively) and neonatal survival (21/23 vs 41/44, respectively). A cervical length <25 mm was found in 18 patients (41%) in the observational group at a mean gestational age of 19.1 +/- 2.9 weeks' gestation. Incidence of preterm delivery at <34 weeks' gestation was significantly higher in the group with short cervical length (6/18 vs 0/26; P =.003). Secondary random assignment of the 18 patients with short cervical length allocated 10 to undergo therapeutic cerclage. Preterm delivery at <34 weeks' gestation was significantly less frequent in the therapeutic cerclage group (1/10 vs 5/8). CONCLUSION: Transvaginal ultrasonographic serial follow-up examinations of the cervix in women at risk for cervical incompetence, with secondary intervention as indicated, appears to be a safe alternative to the traditional prophylactic cerclage. Transvaginal ultrasonographic follow-up examination of the cervix can save the majority of women from unnecessary intervention. Placement of a therapeutic cerclage may reduce the incidence of preterm delivery at <34 weeks' gestation among high-risk patients.     

Zervixinsuffizienz: operative Möglichkeiten

In recent years, the incidence of operations at the uterine cervix to prevent miscarriages and preterm deliveries has declined steadily. In Berlin, the rate is now well below 1% of all pregnancies. Obviously, the cause lies in the indication and not the operation itself. The operations are based on two premises: (1) a cerclage can prevent premature opening of the cervix due to cervical incompetence and (2) operative occlusion of the cervical canal can prevent transcervical infections following incomplete mucous sealing of the cervical canal or as a consequence of cervical lacerations. Cervical incompetence in the classical sense is an extremely rare finding. In women deemed to be at increased risk of cervical incompetence, cerclage was not found to prolong pregnancy significantly. It is still unclear whether cervical cerclage can improve outcomes in pregnancies with decreased cervical length or dilation of the internal os as detected by vaginal ultrasound. Indications and outcomes of the rare cervix occlusion operations have not as yet been studied in prospective randomized trials. In spite of this, some results suggest that women with a history of repeated miscarriages caused by ascending infections due to sealing deficits of the cervical canal may profit from an operation.