Outcome of patients undergoing transabdominal cerclage: a descriptive study.
OBJECTIVE
Transabdominal cerclage is now evolving as an alternative to transvaginal cerclage in patients with cervical incompetence. The purpose of our study was to evaluate and describe our experience in patients selected to undergo transabdominal cerclage placement.


METHODS
Outcome data for all patients who underwent transabdominal cerclage from January, 1990, through December, 1994, was collected. Indications for transabdominal cerclage included patients with prior failed vaginal cerclage, extremely shortened cervix, or anatomical defects judged unsuitable for transvaginal cerclage.


RESULTS
Eleven patients underwent 12 transabdominal cerclage procedures. The mean gestational age at the time of cerclage placement was 12.5 weeks (range 10-14 weeks). The mean gestational age at delivery was 34 weeks. There were two neonatal deaths, which were related to extreme prematurity. The mean birthweight was 2,622 g. The fetal salvage rate was 83%.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that in a highly select group of patients, the transabdominal cerclage can be a safe and effective procedure.
Turnquest
M A
MA
Wishard Memorial Hospital, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202, USA.
Britton
K A
KA
Brown
H L
HL
D000005:Abdomen; D001724:Birth Weight; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D013513:Obstetric Surgical Procedures; D011247:Pregnancy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D002581:Uterine Cervical Incompetence / Q000601:surgery*; D014621:Vagina