Laparoscopic transabdominal cervicoisthmic cerclage during pregnancy

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and describe our experience in the management of recurrent second-trimester miscarriage and preterm delivery by laparoscopic transabdominal cervicoisthmic cerclage (LTCC), after failure of transvaginal cervical cerclage. DESIGN: Retrospective review (Canadian Task Force classification III). SETTING: Tertiary care teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty women in whom it was not technically possible to perform transvaginal cerclage. INTERVENTION: LTCC. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Mean operating time was 55 minutes (range 40-75 min). There were no operative or immediate postoperative complications. Mean gestational age at the time of cerclage placement was 12.1 weeks (range 11-14 wks). Nineteen women successfully delivered 21 live babies (2 sets of twins; live birth rate 95%). One loss occurred after rupture of membrane at 19 weeks' after cerclage. CONCLUSION: LTCC during pregnancy can be safe and effective treatment for well-selected patients with cervical incompetence, and eliminates the need for open laparotomy.     

Fertility outcome following transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage using a polypropylene sling

Objective

To report fertility and pregnancy outcomes following transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage with a polypropylene sling during a previous pregnancy.

Methods

A continuous series of 57 women who underwent prophylactic cervicoisthmic cerclage during a previous (reference) pregnancy were enrolled. Telephone interviews were carried out to evaluate each patient's subsequent fertility.

Results

Among the 57 women interviewed, 8 had an inadequate follow-up, 13 women were lost to follow-up, 1 woman required a hemostatic hysterectomy, and 2 women required removal of the sling. Nineteen women did not desire a subsequent pregnancy. Of the 14 women who did desire a subsequent pregnancy, 1 woman had previously known tubal infertility. Of the 13 remaining women, 7 subsequently became pregnant. One woman had a spontaneous abortion (11 weeks of pregnancy); 1 woman delivered at 22 weeks of pregnancy, after a spontaneous premature membrane rupture; 1 woman had a cesarean delivery at 25 weeks of pregnancy; and 4 patients had a cesarean delivery after 37 weeks of pregnancy. Median duration of the 4 subsequent pregnancies at delivery was 37 weeks (interquartile range [IQR], 37-38 weeks). Median birth weight was 3040 g (IQR, 2500-3250 g).

Conclusion

Subsequent pregnancy is possible after transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage using a synthetic sling.     

Transvaginal placement of cervicoisthmic cerclage: report on pregnancy outcome

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to review pregnancy course and outcome in 56 pregnancies after the placement of a cervicoisthmic cerclage transvaginally. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-three pregnant patients with unique indications such as previous failure of conventional cerclages or compromised cervical anatomy, underwent transvaginal placement of a cervicoisthmic cerclage during pregnancy. RESULTS: There was 100% fetal survival. Preterm birth rate was 32% and births at less than 30 weeks occurred in 21% of our patients. In 6 patients, the suture was not removed and 3 patients had an additional gestation with the same suture. Serious complications included 1 instance of intraoperative bladder laceration and 1 of intrapartum cervical tear. Minor complications included a postoperative hematoma and transient urinary retention with pelvic pain in 2 patients. CONCLUSION: The placement of transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage was associated with favorable pregnancy outcome and may be considered as a suitable safe alternative to the transabdominal cerclage.     

不同妊娠期经阴道子宫颈环扎术后妊娠结局分析

Objective?To investigate the differences in pregnancy outcomes between the different transvaginal cervical cerclage. Methods?This retrospective study included pregnant women with cervical insufficiency admitted to Peking University People’s Hospital between January 2013 and September 2021. There were 37 patients in the study group underwent Shirodkar’s cerclage, and 32 patients in the control group underwent McDonald’s cerclage. The pregnancy outcomes were compared. Results?Compared with the control group, the study group showed more weight gain during pregnancy[(12.66±6.00) kg/m2, (9.21±5.79) kg/m2; P=0.022], long operation time [45 min(40-51.3 min) vs. 20.5 min (17.3-25.0), P<0.001] and later cerclage removal [36.71(36.14-37) vs. 34.43(24.32-36.75), P=0.003]. Gestational weeks at delivery in the Shirodkar group were more advanced than in the McDonald group[38.9 (36.3-39.8) vs.35.0 (30.1-39.0), P=0.005]. Compared with the McDonald group, the Shirodkar group had higher incidences of deliveries≥28 gestational weeks (91.9% vs. 68.8%, P=0.027), deliveries≥34 gestational weeks (81.1% vs. 59.4%, P=0.037), deliveries≥37 gestational weeks (67.6% vs. 37.5%, P<0.001), induced labor (43.2% vs. 12.5%, P=0.006), and fewer fetal loss (8.1% vs. 31.3%, P=0.017). Multivariate regression analysis of preterm birth factors showed that Shirodkar cervical cerclage was a protective factor to reduce the incidence of preterm birth(OR=0.063, 95%CI: 0.008, 0.492, P=0.008). Conclusion?Shirodkar cerclage appears to have advantages over McDonald cerclage in preventing fetal loss and a fewer frequency of preterm deliveries.     

Patients with a prior failed transvaginal cerclage: a comparison of obstetric outcomes with either transabdominal or transvaginal cerclage

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to compare the incidence of preterm birth after a prior failed vaginal cerclage in patients who had a subsequent transabdominal or a transvaginal cerclage. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies in women who had undergone (9-14 weeks) either a transabdominal or a transvaginal prophylactic cerclage after >/=1 prior failed transvaginal cerclage. Prior failed transvaginal cerclage was defined as a preterm birth at <33 weeks' gestation in the immediate prior pregnancy despite a transvaginal cerclage. All transabdominal cerclage procedures were performed by a single attending physician (George Davis, DO). Patients with a cervix too short for transvaginal cerclage placement, placenta previa, or major fetal anomalies were excluded. Primary outcome was preterm birth at <35 weeks' gestation. RESULTS: Forty transabdominal and 24 transvaginal cerclage pregnancies were analyzed. These 2 groups were similar in race and payer status but differed in age (34.0 +/- 4.2 vs 31.3 +/- 4.6 years, respectively; P =.01). The transabdominal cerclage group had more prior failed cerclage procedures per patient (1.8 +/- 1.0 vs 1.1 +/- 0.3; P =.02) and more prior 14- to 24-week spontaneous abortions per patient (2.4 +/- 1.3 vs 1.5 +/- 1.0; P =.02) than the transvaginal cerclage group. Preterm delivery at both <35 and <33 weeks' gestation was less common in the transabdominal cerclage group (18% vs 42%, P =.04; 10% vs 38%, P =.01; respectively) than in the transvaginal cerclage group. Gestational age at delivery was 36. 3 +/- 4.1 weeks in the transabdominal cerclage group and 32.8 +/- 8. 6 weeks in the transvaginal cerclage group (P =.03). Preterm premature rupture of membranes also occurred less often in the transabdominal cerclage group than in the transvaginal cerclage group (8% vs 29%, P =.03). CONCLUSION: In patients with a prior failed transvaginal cerclage, transabdominal cerclage is associated with a lower incidence of preterm delivery and preterm premature rupture of membranes in comparison with transvaginal cerclage.     

孕前经阴道子宫颈峡部环扎术治疗宫颈机能不全

宫颈环扎术是目前治疗宫颈机能不全最有效的方法。术式包括Shirodkar和McDonald提出的经阴道宫颈环扎术以及Benson 和Durfee提出的经腹宫颈环扎术。前者环扎位置偏低,效果欠理想,后者手术效果肯定,但需两次进腹进行环扎和拆线,增加了手术创伤和风险。笔者对上述两种宫颈环扎术进行综合,于孕前经阴道在宫颈峡部水平行环扎术123例,发现该术式操作方便,效果理想,拆除方便,是一种值得与各位同道分享的宫颈环扎术式。     

Novel application of polypropylene sling: transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage in women with high risk of preterm delivery

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe a novel technique of transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage with a polypropylene sling in prevention of preterm labor in pregnant women at high risk. DESIGN: Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification: III). SETTING: University hospital (department of obstetrics and gynecology). PATIENTS: Twenty-one women showing symptoms of high risk of preterm delivery: histories of pregnancy losses in the second trimester and prior failure of MacDonald's cerclage or absent portio vaginalis of the cervix. The median age of the patients was 32.8 years (range 22-39 years). INTERVENTIONS: Cerclage was performed between 12 and 16 weeks' gestation. A polypropylene tape was placed at the cervicoisthmic junction by vaginal route. Caesarean delivery was systematically performed in all patients because the cerclage was considered to be definitive. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: No intraoperative complications occurred. The mean operating time was 36 +/- 6 minutes (range 30-45 minutes). The mean length of stay was 1.4 +/- 0.5 days. Mean gestational age and birth weight at delivery were respectively 37.1 +/- 1.8 weeks (CI 95%: 36.4-37.9) and 2850 +/- 745 g (CI 95%: 2531-3168). The preterm birth rate was 19% (4/21). One neonatal death occurred after amniotic fluid infection at 34 weeks. Birth at less than 32 weeks occurred in one patient (4%). CONCLUSION: Transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage with polypropylene sling may be considered as an effective and minimally invasive alternative to the transabdominal cervicoisthmic cerclage in women presenting with high risk of preterm delivery.     

经阴宫颈峡部环扎术106例妊娠结局分析

目的探讨经阴宫颈峡部环扎术后的妊娠过程及结局。方法对2003-2011年北京安太医院有传统经阴缝扎术失败或宫颈先天发育不良引起晚期流产史的106例患者,在妊娠期行经阴宫颈峡部环扎术,分析其妊娠过程及结局。结果胎儿存活率100%。早产率32%,孕周<30周孕妇的早产率为21%。严重并发症包括术中膀胱损伤1例和分娩时宫颈撕裂2例。轻微并发症8例,包括环扎血肿、暂时性尿潴留和耻骨联合痛。结论经阴宫颈峡部环扎术妊娠结局良好,是一种安全简便的术式。     

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic placement of transabdominal cerclage during pregnancy

Cervical incompetence treated with transabdominal cerclage can carry significant morbidity with the need for sequential laparotomies and necessitating prolonged postoperative recovery. Laparoscopic transabdominal cerclage placement has been described but has significant limitations with only two-dimensional depth perception and limited dexterity. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery (RALS) is rapidly gaining acceptance in gynecologic surgery. RALS has reportedly been used for placement of an interval transabdominal cerclage. We report the first two cases where the da Vinci robot was used during pregnancy for placement of abdominal cerclage. Two women were successfully treated with robotic-assisted laparoscopic placement of transabdominal cerclage in pregnancy. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic transabdominal cerclage placement is less invasive and is effective not only as an interval procedure but also during pregnancy, offering the patient an alternative to the traditional laparotomy with quicker recovery time.     

Emergency cervical cerclage: effect on pregnancy outcome and mode of delivery

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of emergency cervical cerclage (ECC) and its effect on the mode of delivery.

Patients and methods: Between April 2007 and July 2011 patients attending MH Diyarbakir Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital and MH Seferihisar State Necat Hepkon Hospital who underwent ECC were included in this retrospective analysis.

Results: At the time of ECC, the mean gestational age, cervical length and cervical dilatation were 21.4?±?2.2 weeks, 4.3?±?0.8?cm and 11?±?2.4?mm, respectively. The average time between the procedure and birth was 13.8?±?4.9 weeks and this period was sufficient to maintain a viable pregnancy (p?<?0.05). In this study, 12 patients (60%) were delivered vaginally and eight (40%) patients delivered with CS (40%). the difference was statistically insignificant (p?=?0.371). Regarding the gestational age at time of delivery, 55% of patients delivered at 36 weeks, 70% at 32 weeks, and 80% of them delivered at 28 weeks. The total live birth rate was 90%.

Conclusion: ECC provides satisfactory time for the fetus to gain sufficient viability. Pregnancies with emergency cerclage show no difference in terms of birth method, whether cesarean or vaginal birth, and delivery type does not appears to be linked to ECC.     

Clinical effect of emergency cervical cerclage and elective cervical cerclage on pregnancy outcome in the cervical-incompetent pregnant women

Purpose

To compare the clinical effect of emergency cervical cerclage and elective cervical cerclage on pregnancy outcome in the cervical-incompetent pregnant women.

Methods

Literature was searched from the databases of Pubmed, Embase and Google scholar. The fixed or random effects model was used to calculate pooled risk ratios on the basis of heterogeneity. Meta-regression, sensitive analysis, subgroup analysis, and publication bias assessment were also conducted to confirm the results according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2009.

Results

The meta-analysis results showed that there were significant associations between cerclage operations and pregnancy outcomes in gestation age, birth weight, and PROM rate. Gestation age was significantly higher in women with elective cerclage than those with emergency cerclage, and birth weight was significantly higher in newborns for the elective group as compared with emergency group. The rate of PROM in elective group was lower than emergency group. However, there were no differences between the emergency cerclage group and the elective cerclage group regarding the rate of vaginal delivery.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis suggests that emergency cerclage has lower gestation age and birth weight than elective cerclage, and it increases the risk of PROM. Further well-designed studies are warranted to confirm these results.

     

Cervical dilation as a predictor of pregnancy outcome following emergency cerclage

Objective: To determine whether cervical dilation at the time of physical examination indicated cerclage placement can predicts latency and gestational age at delivery. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of all women who underwent physical examination indicated cerclage placement from 1996 to 2011 at Duke University Hospital (DUH) was performed. Physical examination indicated cerclage was defined as cerclage placement after 16 weeks in women with a cervical length of less than 2.5?cm and/or cervical dilation greater than or equal to 1?cm at time of procedure. Subjects were divided into two groups depending on cervical dilation at time of procedure (≥2?cm, <2?cm) for comparison. A multivariate linear regression model for the outcome gestational age of delivery was constructed, controlling for confounding variables. Results: A total of 110 women with complete data were available for analysis. Median gestational age at cerclage placement was similar between the two groups (20.3 vs. 20.3 weeks, p?=?0.8). Women with cervical dilatation ≥2?cm dilation delivered at an earlier median gestational age than women with cervical dilation <2?cm (27.0 vs. 35.6 weeks, p < 0.001). Cervical dilation at the time of cerclage placement independently predicted gestational age at delivery while controlling for use of intracervical Foley balloon catheter for membrane reduction, cerclage suture type, history of prior preterm birth, race, insurance status, and tobacco use. Conclusions: Women who receive a rescue cerclage are more likely to deliver at an earlier gestational age when cervical dilation is ≥2?cm at the time of procedure.     

Recrudescent herpes labialis during and prior to early pregnancy

Objectives: To assess the experience of recrudescent herpes labialis (RHL) before and during early pregnancy. Methods: History of RHL prior to and during the first trimester of pregnancy was obtained from 3738 women attending at 10–15 weeks’ gestation. The influence of age, ethnicity, socioeconomic group, smoking behavior, and alcohol intake on RHL was assessed. Results: 1066 women (28.5%) reported a history of RHL lesions, with reduced incidence of RHL during pregnancy (0.111 lesions/subject per month) compared with outside pregnancy (0.19 lesions/subject per month) (P<0.0001). Those who did report lesions during pregnancy (n=296) experienced them at a higher monthly rate (0.41 lesions/subject per month) than before pregnancy (0.25 lesions/subject per month) (P<0.0001). RHL rate in early pregnancy was related solely to the previous rate of lesion recrudescence (P<0.001). Conclusion: Pregnant women with a history of RHL report reduced incidence of RHL during pregnancy.