title: Effect of 2 stitches vs 1 stitch on the prevention of preterm birth in women with singleton pregnancies who undergo cervical cerclage.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigates whether 2 cerclage stitches are more effective than 1 stitch in the prevention of preterm birth.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective cohort study of 150 singleton pregnancies that underwent cervical cerclage. Gestational age at delivery and clinical characteristics were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred twelve patients (74.7%) received 1 stitch, and 38 patients (25.3%) received 2 stitches. There were no baseline differences between the groups. Analysis showed no significant difference in gestational age at delivery between the 1 vs 2 cerclage groups overall (median, 38.0 vs 38.3 weeks of gestation, respectively; P = .356) or for a given gestational age cut-off (<37 weeks of gestation: 37.4% vs 34.2% [P = .727]; <34 weeks of gestation: 16.8% vs 18.4% [P = .823]; <28 weeks of gestation: 9.4% vs 2.6% [P = .179]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows no measurable benefit to the placement of 2 stitches over 1 stitch during cervical cerclage in singleton pregnancies; however, further study of preterm birth at <28 weeks of gestation and postcerclage outcomes among a larger cohort is merited.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Karlijn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Woensdregt
authors.forename: Errol R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Norwitz
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cackovic
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Paidas
authors.forename: Jessica L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Illuzzi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D023802:Cerclage, Cervical / Q000379:methods*; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D002581:Uterine Cervical Incompetence / Q000601:surgery*