Retrospective analysis of cervical cerclage procedures at the Louisiana State University, Shreveport (1980 to 1987)

We retrospectively reviewed 76 cerclage procedures done in 62 patients from January 1980 through October 1987 at the Louisiana State University Medical Center, Shreveport. The study showed a significant increase in fetal salvage after cerclage--from 23% to 72%. Emergency cerclage resulted in a fetal salvage rate of only 12%, in contrast to elective cerclage, which yielded a fetal salvage of 81%. Furthermore, fetal salvage was lower when the cerclage was done at less than 12 weeks' estimated gestational age (65%). The McDonald cerclage was done in 69 procedures, using a single suture in 49 patients and a double suture in 20. The fetal salvage rate was the same regardless of the number of sutures placed.