Cervical cerclage in delayed interval delivery in a multifetal pregnancy: a review of seven case series

Emergency cervical cerclage in delayed-interval delivery of twin pregnancies: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

The protocol for delayed-interval delivery of the second twin in twin pregnancies has not been standardized. Cervical cerclage is often performed, but its use is debated. To conduct a scoping review on cervical cerclage for prolonging the intertwin delivery interval and improving second twin survival and maternal outcomes after preterm delivery or spontaneous abortion of the first twin in twin pregnancies.

METHODS

Seven Chinese and English language databases were searched from inception to March 1, 2023, including PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP Chinese Science Journal Database, and Sinomed. Relevant observational studies that assessed the effectiveness of the use of cervical cerclage in delayed-interval delivery of twins were screened and selected, and raw data were extracted, and descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 102 articles were retrieved. After screening and exclusion of duplicate and irrelevant articles, 22 articles meeting the inclusion criteria were obtained. Studies in which cerclage was performed reported longer intertwin delivery intervals than those that did not perform cerclage, and the difference was statistically significant. The cerclage group also tended to have lower rates of chorioamnionitis and maternal complications, but the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

After excluding patients with contraindications, emergency cervical cerclage can be considered in cases of spontaneous abortion of the first twin in twin pregnancies to prolong the gestation and improve the prognosis of the remaining fetus until it becomes viable and increases its birth weight.

Delayed-Interval Delivery in Multiple Pregnancy: A Single-Center Experience of Five Cases

Objectives  To describe the obstetric management and perinatal outcomes in multiple pregnancies with delayed-interval delivery (DID) of the cotwin in a tertiary hospital. Methods  This is a retrospective chart review of all cases of DID between December 2021 and 2022 at The Ottawa Hospital. Five cases of DID were identified and reviewed to obtain information on obstetric management and maternal-neonatal outcomes. We included eligible twins and triplets. No multiples were excluded. We obtained ethics approval for this case series. Results  Four sets of dichorionic diamniotic twins and one trichorionic triamniotic triplet were included. Our patients were admitted between 17 3/7 and 21 5/7 weeks of gestation. We achieved an interval delivery range between 1 and 36 days. Four out of six multiples did not survive in DID. The two surviving newborns were born at 23 0/7 and 23 2/7 , stayed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for 111 and 131 days, discharged with a weight of 3,594 and 2,743 g, respectively. All DID cases were delivered spontaneously except for two patients that required augmentation due to maternal sepsis. Conclusion  Despite the high risk of maternal, fetal, and neonatal morbidity and mortality, if delivery of the first twin occurs before 20 gestational weeks, DID could be considered in selected cases to improve outcomes for the cotwin.

Delayed interval delivery in a quadruplet pregnancy: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

As the rate of multiple pregnancies increases, delayed interval delivery (DID) is increasingly being implemented to improve perinatal outcomes. But there are no international guidelines for DID in multiple pregnancies. We report a case of DID in a quadruplet pregnancy and review the relevant literature to summarize the management of DID in multiple pregnancies.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 22-year-old woman, 22 2/7 weeks' gestation, with quadruplets, was admitted to the hospital for a first cervical cerclage due to cervical dilation. Twenty-five days later, it was found that the cervix was dilated again, so after removing the cervical cerclage, the first quadruplet was delivered vaginally (25 6/7 weeks), and a second cervical cerclage was performed. Four days later, due to re-dilation of the cervix, after removal of the cervical cerclage, the second quadruplet was delivered vaginally (26 3/7 weeks), followed by a third cervical cerclage. Six days later, the pregnancy was terminated by cesarean section due to fetal distress, and the third and fourth quadruplets were delivered (27 2/7 weeks). The patient had no postoperative complications, and all four infants were treated in the neonatal intensive care unit and discharged successfully.

CONCLUSION

This case emphasizes that comprehensive management of delayed interval delivery can improve perinatal outcomes in multiple pregnancies, including anti-infection, tocolytic therapy, practice to promote fetal lung, and cervical cerclage.

Delayed interval delivery of preterm multiples: experience from a large specialized twin center

Objective: Preterm delivery is a recognized complication of twins and higher order multiple pregnancies. Delayed interval delivery is a rarely used management option for pre- or peri-viable preterm labor in these pregnancies. We describe the management and outcomes of 7 delayed interval deliveries over an 8-year period in a large specialized twin center.Study design: A retrospective cohort study of all delayed interval deliveries of preterm multiples from 2009 to 2016, defined as >24 h between deliveries of twins 1 and 2.Results: During the study period there were 68,845 deliveries with 1377 multiple pregnancies comprising 1331 sets of twins and 46 sets of higher-order multiples. 7 of these were identified as being delayed interval deliveries - 6 twin pregnancies and 1 triplet pregnancy. The mean gestation of delivery of the first infant was 23 + 4 weeks (range 22 + 3 to 30 + 0 weeks) with a mean interval of 10 days (range 1.5-39 days). Outcomes for the first infant delivered were poor, with 5 out of 7 (71%) dying from extreme prematurity. However, out of the remaining twins or triplets, 5/8 (62%) survived. The mean gestation of delivery of the remaining infant (or infants in the triplets) was 25 + 0 weeks (range 23 + 0 to 30 + 2 weeks). Only one mother (16%) developed clinical chorioamnionitis requiring iatrogenic delivery of the remaining infant with subsequent neonatal death due to extreme prematurity. There were no cases of severe maternal morbidity - however, there was one maternal death in the cohort due to an amniotic fluid embolism. The neonatal follow up of the surviving infants to date is mostly normal.Conclusion: Delayed interval deliveries can offer hope for survival for the remaining infant(s) with an acceptable risk profile to the mother. Close clinical and laboratory monitoring is essential to reduce the risk of severe maternal morbidity.

Obstetric and neonatal outcomes of delayed interval delivery in cerclage: A retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

Delayed delivery is sometimes selectively performed in twin pregnancy when the first birth occurs inevitably in order to improve the prognosis and decrease the morbidity and mortality of the second twin. The aim of this study is to explore the maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnancies in which cerclage is carried out following the loss of first fetus in twin gestation for delayed interval delivery.

METHODS

Three cases of delayed-interval delivery of dichorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancies were reported in our center between 2017 and 2018 and were retrospectively analyzed. Once the first twin was delivered, the second twin was left in utero and the patient underwent in utero percutaneous umbilical cord ligation, antibiotics, tocolytic therapy and cervical cerclage.

RESULTS

Mean gestational age at delivery of the first fetuses was 21.6 ± 2.9 weeks and 24.8 ± 4.0 weeks for the remaining fetuses, respectively. The mean interval of the delay was 22 days (4-50 days). Mortality of the first fetus was 66.7%, and the retained one was 33.3%. In general, maternal outcome was good, one patient experienced postpartum hemorrhage and placenta accreta. However neonatal aftermath was generally not favorable, probably due to extreme prematurity.

CONCLUSIONS

Cervical cerclage after the first delivery could prolong the pregnancy until an adequate gestational age at which an enhanced prognosis and better perinatal outcome for the second twin can be achieved.

Successful delayed-interval delivery performed 128 days after the vaginal delivery of the first fetus in a twin pregnancy

There has been a significant increase in the number of multiple pregnancies that are associated with a high risk of preterm delivery among Korean women. However, to date, delayed-interval delivery in women with multiple pregnancy is rare. We report a case of delayed-interval delivery performed 128 days after the vaginal delivery of the first fetus in a dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy. The patient presented with vaginal leakage of amniotic fluid at 16 weeks of gestation and was diagnosed with a preterm premature rupture of membranes. Three days later, the first twin was delivered, but the neonate died soon after. The second twin remained in utero, and we decided to retain the fetus in utero to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with a preterm birth. The patient was managed with antibiotics and tocolytics. Cervical cerclage was not performed. The second twin was delivered vaginally at 34 weeks and 5 days of gestation, 128 days after the delivery of the first-born fetus. This neonate was healthy and showed normal development during the 1-year follow-up period. Based on our experience with this case, we propose that delayed-interval delivery may improve perinatal survival and decrease morbidity in the second neonate in highly selected cases.

Delayed interval delivery of the second twin in a woman with altered markers of inflammation

BACKGROUND

Delayed interval intertwin delivery rates are expected to rise during the next years as potent and targeted tocolytic agents are employed and antenatal surveillance methods become more sophisticated and specific in predicting the critical delivery timepoint of optimal perinatal outcome.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a case of delayed intertwin delivery after delivery of the first twin due to premature prelabor rupture of the membranes. Maternal serum White Blood Cells and C-Reactive Protein levels remained high until delivery of the second twin (34 days after the first was delivered), although maternal temperature remained constant. The mother underwent close antenatal surveillance and she was hospitalized. She had an uncomplicated delivery of the second twin at 29+ 2 weeks by cesarean section due to an abnormal Non-Stress Test.

CONCLUSION

We strongly suggest future evaluation of maternal serum inflammatory markers among these rare cases as these could predict intraamniotic infection.

Delayed second twin delivery: benefits and risks

BACKGROUND

An increasing number of reports describe the delayed second twin delivery for days, or weeks with good results in the majority of the cases, and different survival rate between centers, without reported randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to evaluate the suggested management of the delayed second twin delivery in the Sabah Maternity Hospital regarding its outcome, possible risks, and benefits.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty-seven twin pregnancies with preterm labor (PTL) of the first fetus between 20-30 weeks, and delayed delivery of the second twin were included in this study. Studied women signed informed consent about the possible risks of keeping the live fetus in the hostile intrauterine environment, and benefits of the prolonged gestation for the second twin. Throughout the conservative treatment of the second twin, the studied women were hospitalized with regular follow up for infections, consumptive coagulopathy parameters, and wellbeing of the second twin.

RESULTS

There was significant difference in the gestational age at delivery between the first and second twin (22.6 ± 3.4 versus 34.3 ± 2.5 weeks; respectively, p = .01). There was significant difference in the birth weight between the first and second twin (435 ± 91.2 versus 1472 ± 61.5 g; respectively, p = .004). The rate of the cesarean delivery was significantly high during delivery of the second twin compared with the first twin (23.4% (11/47) versus 0% (0/47); respectively, p = .0001) with high survival rate for the second twin (85.1% (40/47)) after the delayed second twin delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

The birth weight, the gestational age, and the survival rate of the studied second twin significantly increased after the suggested management of the delayed second twin delivery.

Obstetric Management of Delayed-Interval Delivery

The delayed-interval delivery is a rare, flexible and complex procedure. In light of these facts, there is no consensus on the best approach to achieve it successfully. This case report is of an asynchronous delivery, in a twin pregnancy, with a 32-day interval between births of siblings. Our obstetric management at a critical gestational age improved the outcome of the second newborn. The probability of success of delayed-interval delivery depends on the proper selection of the candidates, the appropriate active management and the continuous monitoring for early detection of complications.

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Asynchronous delivery may be lifesaving for the second twin.

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The proper selection of candidates for delayed-interval delivery is crucial.

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The success depends on the individualized management.

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Continuous monitoring is essential for early detection of complications.

Delayed Interval Delivery of a Second Twin: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

We report a case of diamniotic, dichorionic pregnancy that presented at 26 weeks with premature rupture of the first amniotic sac. Nine days later, premature labour and delivery of the first male twin took place, with death of the first twin. The second twin was left in utero. The management included combination of tocolytics, antibiotics and cervical cerclage. Caesarean section was performed 48 days later, at 34 weeks due to breech presentation and contractions. We delivered a live male infant with apgar scores 4/1 and 7/5 and 1680 gr weight. The infant was discharged home 29 days later.

A Case of Delayed Interval Delivery with a Successful Hospital Move

This report is the first case of delayed interval twin delivery in which the first infant and mother survived without major morbidity following transport to another facility. In addition, this case is only the second report of asynchronous delivery in which both twins survived and neither suffered any major morbidity. A 30-year-old G5P1031 African American female with a diamniotic/dichorionic twin pregnancy presented to U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan, at 22 + 5 weeks due to vaginal bleeding. At 23 + 2 weeks, Twin A was born secondary to advanced cervical dilation. Twin A's birth weight was 650 g with APGAR scores of 6 (1 min) and 7 (5 min). Following delivery of Twin A, Placenta A was left in utero with high ligation of the umbilical cord. Due to a scheduled hospital move, the mother and Twin A were transported to the new facility at Camp Foster. Three weeks later, Twin B was delivered at 26 + 4 weeks. Twin B's birth weight was 930 g with APGAR scores of 3 (1 min) and 7 (5 min). Both twins were discharged without IVH, PVL, ROP, or CLD. This case demonstrates the possibility of transporting both the mother and surviving infant A to a higher level of care prior to delivery of subsequent fetuses.

Delayed Interval Delivery following Early Loss of the Leading Twin

This was a case of a nulliparous woman with reduced chance of conception following unilateral salpingectomy and years of infertility. She eventually conceived following ovulation induction resulting in twin pregnancy. She had miscarriage that led to loss of one of the twins at 17 weeks of gestational age. The pregnancy was however continued for 116 days following meticulous management with eventual delivery of a live female baby with good outcome.

[Deferred twin birth: report of two cases observed at the maternity of Creil Hospital Centre]

L'accouchement gémellaire différé définit un accouchement en deux ou plusieurs temps, avec l'expulsion spontanée d'un premier fœtus au deuxième ou au troisième trimestre, et un prolongement de la grossesse pour obtenir un accouchement du ou des fœtus restants en gestation le plus proche possible du terme. Cette technique est mise en œuvre, en cas de grossesse gémellaire pour prévenir la prématurité du fœtus restant après l'expulsion très prématurée d'un premier fœtus. Nous rapportons deux cas observés à la maternité du Centre Hospitalier de Creil avec des latences respectives de 3 et 52 jours pour lesquels nous discutons la prise en charge.

A twin pregnancy provided with ICSI, an abortion of the first fetus at the 18th week and live birth of the second fetus at the end of the 36th week: a case report and literature review

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this report was to evaluate and present the fourth longest delay among twin and multiple pregnancies described in the literature.

METHODS

How can we optimize the health of the remaining fetus or fetuses after spontaneous abortion of the first fetus in multiple pregnancies? By considering one of our cases, we try to answer that question in light of the published literature.

RESULTS

In our case, the second fetus was born at the end of the 36th week after abortion of the first fetus at the beginning of the 18th week. Delayed interval delivery was postponed 132 gestational days.

CONCLUSIONS

The implementation of delayed intentional delivery is a reliable and required approach especially for infertility patients when they are selected carefully and monitored closely.

Dichorionic pregnancy: delayed interval delivery with endoloop ligation

We describe two cases of delayed delivery in dichorionic, diamniotic pregnancies, where we used an Endoloop ligature to clamp the umbilical cord with excellent maternal and fetal long-term outcome.

Delayed interval delivery of a second twin after the preterm labor of the first one in twin pregnancies: delayed delivery in twin pregnancies

A diamnionic dichorionic twin pregnant women (due to in vitro fertilization) admitted to emergency department at the 21st week of gestation because of regular contractions. By gynecological examination, we observed 8 cm dilated cervix with 80% effacement. Amniotic membrane was also bulging through the cervix. After evaluation delivery of the presenting fetus occurred quickly. The baby's weight was 610 gr and no heart activity was detected. Placenta of the first fetus expulsed immediately. We decided to retain the second fetus to allow the improvement in the outcome. McDonald cerclage was performed and the patient treated with tocolytics and antibiotics, and she was continuously monitored up to the 28th week of pregnancy. After she was discharged in the 28th week, she was controlled weekly in obstetrics clinic. At the 36th gestational week which was 101 days after the cerclage procedure, 3639 g male fetus was delivered with cesarean section and had an uneventful neonatal course. Delayed-interval delivery is useful and acceptable therapeutic option for the management of the remaining fetus in twin pregnancies even after the expulsion of the placenta. Antibiotic and tocolytic administration with cervical cerclage application can be associated with longer interdelivery interval.

Delayed-interval delivery of an in vitro-fertilized triplet pregnancy with premature rupture of membranes in the second trimester

BACKGROUND

The incidence of multiple pregnancies is increasing with the availability of assisted reproductive techniques. Preterm labor and preterm rupture of membranes are major complications in such pregnancies. Preterm delivery of the first fetus is often followed by delivery of the remaining fetuses. However, conservative management in such circumstances might allow for fetal lung maturity in the remaining fetuses.

CASE

We present a case of conservative management of an in vitro-fertilized triplet pregnancy with early loss of the leading triplet. A 33-year-old woman in the 21st week of a triplet pregnancy delivered her one of the fetuses, 4 days after the preterm rupture of membranes. To save the surviving fetuses, ligation of the umbilical cord at the cervical level was performed. Patient received antibiotics, tocolytics and corticosteroids after then. The second and the third fetuses were successfully delivered by cesarean section in the 28th week of pregnancy, 43 days after the first fetus was born.

CONCLUSION

We can improve the life expectancy of the retained fetuses by conservative management using tocolytics, antenatal steroids to stimulate lung maturation and antibiotics following the delivery of the first fetus.

Delayed-interval delivery in twin and triplet pregnancies: 17 years of experience in 1 perinatal center

OBJECTIVE

There are few prospective cohorts of delayed-interval delivery for twin and triplet pregnancies. Nonetheless, the procedure is an option to improve perinatal outcome.

STUDY DESIGN

A standard protocol was designed before candidates for delayed interval were managed by the 2 authors from 1991 to 2007. Perinatal as maternal outcomes were evaluated up to 1 year.

RESULTS

In 93 twin and 34 triplet pregnancies, the inclusion criteria were fulfilled; in 45 twin and 8 triplet pregnancies, there were contraindications to prolong pregnancy; and in 10 twin and 26 triplet pregnancies, asynchronous delivery was not possible because of immediate delivery of the remaining multiples. Thus, the procedure was performed in only 41% (38/93) of twin and 35% (12/34) of triplet pregnancies admitted with threatening early delivery. Among twin pregnancies, the mean delay was 19 (1-107) days. When the first delivery was less than 25 weeks, no first twin but 9 of 18 second twins (50%) survived (P < .001). Survival rate of first twins born beyond 25 weeks was 13 of 20 (65%) compared with 19 of 20 (95%) (P = .03) in corresponding second twins. In 7 of 12 triplet pregnancies with the first born less than 25 weeks, 2 of 14 remaining triplets survived after an interval of 118 days. Beyond 25 weeks, 3 of 5 first and 4 of 10 remaining triplets survived after intervals of 2-13 days (P = n.s.). Delay between second and third triplet was never longer than 2 days. Frequent maternal complications were chorioamnionitis (22%), postpartum hemorrhage, retained placenta (10%), and abruption (6%).

CONCLUSION

Our study provides data to assist physicians in the informed consent process when asynchronous delivery is considered and feasible.

Prolongation of triplet pregnancy after abortion of the presenting fetus

BACKGROUND

The management of delayed delivery in a triplet pregnancy is described.

CASE

A 25-year-old woman with an in vitro fertilization pregnancy aborted the presenting fetus at 19th gestational week. As she decided to carry on, cervical cerclage, tocolysis and antimicrobial prophylaxis were performed. The remaining fetuses survived until 29th gestational week.

CONCLUSION

Prolongation of multiple pregnancies after the abortion of presenting fetuses is a possible approach, which is especially justified in women with a history of infertility.

Tailoring systematic reviews to meet critical priorities in maternal health in the intrapartum period

Health care practitioners and researchers commonly call for greater reliance on evidence as a means to achieve improvement in quality of care. Systematic reviews provide a means to accelerate the use of evidence-based clinical interventions and public health practices. The extent to which these time- and resource-intensive systematic reviews currently address critical maternal health priorities in the intrapartum period is unclear. This analysis summarises key maternal health and research priorities, maps these priorities to existing reviews, identifies gaps in the literature that can be addressed with systematic reviews, and highlights key methodological concerns in conducting systematic reviews. The analysis draws on published data on maternal morbidities and an overview of 108 systematic reviews in Medline in the past 5 years using the MeSH terms 'Delivery, Obstetric,' to draw the links between health priorities, research priorities, existing evidence and missing evidence. Key causes of morbidity during labour and delivery in the United States include haemorrhage, pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, obstetric trauma and infection. Analyses of maternal morbidity and mortality suggest that key concerns include racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes and the prevention of adverse events. Systematic reviews, however, generally tend to focus on the reduction of harms associated with interventions, are frequently limited to randomised designs, and do not address issues of health disparities. The results suggest that advances in evidence-based care in maternal health require that systematic reviews address issues of prevention of adverse events, include a larger variety of study designs when necessary and pay closer attention to health disparities.

Diagnosis and management of obstetrical complications unique to multiple gestations

Obstetrical complications unique to multiple gestations pose a number of unique challenges. The presence of more than one fetus complicates the diagnosis and management of a pregnancy when one fetus has a structural or chromosomal abnormality, intrauterine demise, preterm premature rupture of the membranes, or delivers prematurely. Similarly, the diagnosis and management of monoamniotic twins and conjoined twins is challenging. These obstetrical complications that are unique to multiple gestations require thorough counseling of the expectant parents, as well as care by physicians with expertise in the management of multiple gestations.

Management of Delayed-Interval Delivery in Multiple Gestations

OBJECTIVE

Proving that delayed delivery is possible, debating its modality, suggesting a guideline for its managing.

METHOD

Six cases of delayed delivery were treated at the Maternity Hospital of Nancy, between 1979 and 2001, and the results were compared to a literature review of 148 found thanks to Medline database.

RESULTS

Delayed delivery reduces the risk of neonatal mortality and morbidity. The delivery interval is 2-93 (median 7) days in our experience and 2-153 (median 31) days in the literature. After the first expulsion, cerclage was used in 60% of the cases, prophylactic tocolysis and antibiotics in 79% and 71%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

There is no consensus for its management but it must be performed with precise conditions to restrict both maternal and fetal risks. Our study is supporting an interventionist attitude with cerclage, prophylactic tocolysis and antibiotics.

Maternal complications of multifetal pregnancy

This article reviews the common maternal complications encountered in multifetal gestations.

The cervix and prematurity: aetiology, prediction and prevention

Preventing preterm delivery remains a major challenge for the 21st century. The cervix plays a fundamental role in supporting a pregnancy and preventing ascending infection from the lower genital tract. Infection is associated with early preterm delivery in about half of cases. Whatever the aetiology of preterm delivery, dilation of the cervix is a common endpoint, and transvaginal scanning of the cervix now provides a good predictor of early preterm delivery in both high- and low-risk women. Changes in the cervix are related to the detection of fetal fibronectin in the vagina, which is also an accurate predictor of delivery. However, the role of intervention in at-risk women is unclear. Elective cerclage is only effective in a minority of women, and the evidence to support its use is limited. It is currently being evaluated whether indicated cerclage, dictated by ultrasound findings, is beneficial.

Delayed interval delivery and infant survival: a population-based study

OBJECTIVE

Delaying delivery of the remaining fetus(es) in a multifetal pregnancy is feasible in some cases. However, the impact of this procedure on infant survival is unclear.

STUDY DESIGN

We used the US 1995-1998 Matched Multiple Birth File. We identified 200 twin pregnancies in which the first twin was delivered between 17 and 29 weeks of gestation and the second twin was delivered 2 or more days later. We individually matched the delayed deliveries with 374 twin pregnancies in which the second twin was delivered on the same or next calendar day. Perinatal outcomes and infant survival were compared between the delayed and nondelayed twins.

RESULTS

Among the 200 pregnancies with delayed delivery, the mean gestational age at first delivery was 23 weeks and the median duration of delay was 6 days (ranging from 2-107 days). One week of delay in delivery was associated with an increase in infant birth weight of 131 g on average (95% CI: 115-147 g). Moreover, 56% of the delayed second twins survived to 1 year of age, whereas only 24% of the nondelayed second twins survived to 1 year of age (P <.001). However, 11% of the second twin in delayed delivery (95% CI: 6%-16%) experienced fetal death before 24 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Delayed delivery of the remaining fetus(es) before 30 weeks of gestation for 2 or more days was associated with improved infant survival.