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Kyvernitakis I, Baschat AA, Malan M, Rath W, Berger R, Henrich W, Schleussner E, Yousefi B, Timmesfeld N, Maul H. Cervical pessary to prevent preterm birth and poor neonatal outcome: An integrity meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials focusing on adherence to the European Medical Device Regulation. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2024; 165:607-620. [PMID: 37830250 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.15169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Findings from randomized trials (RCTs) on cervical pessary treatment to prevent spontaneous preterm birth are inconsistent. OBJECTIVES Our hypothesis suggests that adhering to the European Medical Device Regulation (MDR) and following the instructions for use are essential prerequisites for successful therapy. Conversely, the non-adherence to these guidelines will probably contribute to its failure. SEARCH STRATEGY AND SELECTION CRITERIA Based on validated criteria from integrity assessments we performed a systematic review identifying 14 RCTs evaluating the effect of cervical pessaries. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We analyzed the implications of 14 criteria each accounting for 0-2 points of a score reflecting the clinical evaluation plan (CEP) as proposed by the MDR to evaluate the risk-benefit ratio of medical devices. MAIN RESULTS Seven RCTs in each singleton and twin pregnancies (5193 "cases") were included, detecting a high heterogeneity within control groups (I2 = 85% and 87%, respectively, P < 0.01). The CEP score varied from 11 to 26 points for all studies. The most common reasons for low scores and potential data compromise were poor recruitment rates, no (completed) power analysis, and no pre-registration, but mainly non-adherence to technical, biological, and clinical equivalence to the instructions for use as required by the MDR. All trials with score values greater than 20 had applied audit procedures. Within this group we found significantly reduced rates of spontaneous preterm birth at less than 34 weeks within the pessary group in singleton (odds ratio 0.28; 95% confidence interval 0.12-0.65) and twin pregnancies (odds ratio 0.30; 95% confidence interval 0.13-0.67). Similarly, there was a significant reduction in the composite poor neonatal outcome in singleton (odds ratio 0.25; 95% confidence interval 0.10-0.61) and twin pregnancies (odds ratio 0.54; 95% confidence interval 0.35-0.82) after a pessary as compared with controls. CONCLUSION Non-audited RCTs and meta-analyses mixing studies of different clinical quality as pre-defined by a CEP and the MDR pose the risk for erroneous conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Kyvernitakis
- Department of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Asklepios Clinic Barmbek, Asklepios Medical School, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ahmet A Baschat
- Center for Fetal Therapy, Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Marcel Malan
- Department of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Asklepios Clinic Barmbek, Asklepios Medical School, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Werner Rath
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Richard Berger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Marienhaus Klinikum St. Elisabeth, Neuwied, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Henrich
- Department of Obstetrics, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ekkehard Schleussner
- Department of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University of Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Bahareh Yousefi
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Nina Timmesfeld
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Holger Maul
- Department of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Asklepios Clinic Barmbek, Asklepios Medical School, Hamburg, Germany
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Kumagai K, Murotsuki J, Dohi S, Nishikawa N, Kimura N, Nomiyama M, Osaga S, Hashimoto H, Nakai A, Sugiura-Ogasawara M, Ozaki Y. Does a cervical pessary reduce the rate of preterm birth in women with a short cervix? J Perinat Med 2022; 50:1107-1114. [PMID: 35589684 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2021-0688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate neonatal outcomes after the use of a cervical pessary in Japanese women with short cervical length (CL) less than 25 mm. METHODS This multicenter study involved women with singleton pregnancies between 20 and 29+6 gestational weeks and a CL of less than 25 mm. The primary outcome was preterm birth (PTB) before 34 weeks of gestation. This study was registered in the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (JRCT: jRCTs042180102). RESULTS Two hundred pregnant women were enrolled; 114 in the pessary group and 86 in the expectant management group as controls. In the pessary group, all 114 neonates were investigated for perinatal outcomes, and 112 pregnant women were investigated for primary, and secondary outcomes. In the control group, 86 pregnant women were investigated for primary and secondary outcomes and 86 neonates were investigated for neonatal outcomes. There were no significant differences in PTB in ≤34, ≤37, and ≤28 weeks of gestation or in preterm rupture of membranes (PROM) ≤34 weeks between the groups. The gestational weeks at birth and birth weight were significantly higher in the pessary group. Regression analysis demonstrated that the CL decreased without a pessary, whereas the shortening rate was suppressed during the intervention. No significant differences were observed in adverse neonatal outcomes, chorioamnionitis, or preterm PROM. CONCLUSIONS The cervical pessary effectively reduced CL shortening during pregnancy resulting in an average increased gestational age, however, did not reduced the rates of preterm birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoko Kumagai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya City University, Aichi, Japan
| | - Jun Murotsuki
- Department of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Miyagi Children's Hospital, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Satoshi Dohi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Showa University Northern Yokohama Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Naomi Nishikawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya City University West Medical Center, Aichi, Japan
| | - Naomi Kimura
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Konan Kosei Hospital, Aichi, Japan
| | - Makoto Nomiyama
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Hospital Organization Saga Hospital, Saga, Japan
| | - Satoshi Osaga
- Clinical Research Management Center, Nagoya City University Hospital, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hiroya Hashimoto
- Clinical Research Management Center, Nagoya City University Hospital, Aichi, Japan
| | - Akihito Nakai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tama-Nagayama Hospital, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Yasuhiko Ozaki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Aichi, Japan
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Vargas M, Mendoza M, García I, Farràs A, Maiz N, Carreras E, Goya M. Implications of training for pessary placement and accuracy of cervical length measurements after pessary placement: a prospective, double-blind, randomized clinical trial. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2022; 279:12-18. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2022.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Zhuang Y, Li H, Na Q, Yin S, Li N. Prevention of Preterm Birth by Cervical Pessary Combined with Vaginal Progesterone: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis with Trial Sequential Analysis. Reprod Sci 2022; 30:93-110. [PMID: 35352330 PMCID: PMC9810688 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-00926-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
This study was to assess the effectiveness of cervical pessary combined with vaginal progesterone for the prevention of preterm birth (PTB). Ten studies about singleton [five randomized controlled trials (RCTs), vs vaginal progesterone; four cohorts, vs vaginal progesterone; two cohorts, vs cervical cerclage + vaginal progesterone] and two cohort studies about multiple pregnancies (vs vaginal progesterone) were included after searching electronic databases. For singleton pregnancies, the meta-analysis of three non-RCTs [relative risk (RR) = 0.41, p = 0.001] or total trials in non-Asian country (RR = 0.56, p = 0.03) revealed that compared with vaginal progesterone alone, cervical pessary + vaginal progesterone treatment had significant effectiveness on preventing PTB < 34 weeks, but not for five RCTs; meta-analysis of two trials showed that cervical pessary + vaginal progesterone had no significant prevention effects of PTB compared with cervical cerclage + vaginal progesterone. For multiple pregnancies, meta-analysis of two trials showed that compared with vaginal progesterone, cervical pessary + vaginal progesterone treatment increased neonatal birth weight (standardized mean difference = 0.50, p = 0.01). Trial sequential analysis implied additional studies were required. Four studies vs other controls (pessary, three-combined, tocolysis, conservative or no treatment; one study, each) were selected for systematic review. In conclusion, cervical pessary combined with vaginal progesterone may be safe and effective to prevent PTB in singleton pregnancies and increase neonatal birth weight in the multiple pregnancies compared with vaginal progesterone alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Zhuang
- grid.412467.20000 0004 1806 3501Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No.36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang, 110004 China
| | - Huan Li
- grid.412467.20000 0004 1806 3501Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No.36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang, 110004 China
| | - Quan Na
- grid.412467.20000 0004 1806 3501Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No.36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang, 110004 China
| | - Shaowei Yin
- grid.412467.20000 0004 1806 3501Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No.36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang, 110004 China
| | - Na Li
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, No.36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang, 110004, China.
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Kyvernitakis I, Berger R, Maul H. Letter to the Editor: FIGO Good practice recommendations on the use of pessary for reducing the frequency and improving outcomes of preterm birth. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2022; 157:216-217. [PMID: 35128647 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.14099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Kyvernitakis
- Department of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Asklepios Clinic Hamburg-Barmbek, Asklepios Medical School, University of Semmelweis, Hamburg, Germany.,German Task Force for Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, AGG - Section Preterm Birth, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Richard Berger
- German Task Force for Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, AGG - Section Preterm Birth, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Marienhaus Klinikum Neuwied, Neuwied, Germany
| | - Holger Maul
- Department of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, Asklepios Clinic Hamburg-Barmbek, Asklepios Medical School, University of Semmelweis, Hamburg, Germany.,German Task Force for Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, AGG - Section Preterm Birth, Hamburg, Germany
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Seravalli V, Campana D, Strambi N, Vialetto D, Di Tommaso M. Effectiveness of cervical pessary in women with arrested preterm labor compared to those with asymptomatic cervical shortening. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2021; 35:8141-8146. [PMID: 34856856 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2021.1962844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether the effectiveness of cervical pessary is different in women who experienced cervical shortening after a threatened preterm labor episode compared to those with asymptomatic short cervix. METHODS Retrospective study on singleton pregnancies at risk for preterm delivery (PTD) due to cervical length <25 mm before 28 weeks, who were treated with Arabin cervical pessary. Two groups of patients were compared: those who had contractions causing shortening of the cervix, prior to pessary placement, and those who had asymptomatic cervical shortening. Patients carrying a multiple pregnancy and those who underwent iatrogenic PTD were excluded. The primary outcome was the incidence of PTD at different gestational ages. Secondary outcome was the rate of preterm premature rupture of membrane (pPROM). The groups were compared using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS 115 patients that met the inclusion criteria were identified. Of these, 91 (79%) had asymptomatic cervical shortening, while 24 (21%) had an episode of threatened preterm labor that resolved, and the pessary was placed after the contractions had stopped. The two groups were similar for maternal characteristics, obstetric history, mean gestational age and length of the cervix at the time of pessary insertion. The median gestational age at delivery was significantly lower (36.4 vs 38.0 weeks, p = .02), and the incidence of PTD significantly higher (58.3% vs 30.8%, OR 4.69, 95% CI 1.68-13.1, p < .01) among women who had arrested preterm labor before the pessary was placed compared to the asymptomatic group, after controlling for confounders. The incidence of PTD before 34 and before 32 weeks was also significantly higher in the symptomatic group (p = .02 and p = .005, respectively). Women with asymptomatic cervical shortening had a longer interval between the placement of the pessary and delivery (median 15 weeks). pPROM occurred with a similar incidence in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Arabin cervical pessary to prevent preterm delivery seems be less effective in women with a short cervix following an episode of threatened preterm labor than in those with asymptomatic cervical shortening in the second trimester. This finding may help physicians to select patients in which cervical pessary is more likely to be effective, and to improve patient's counseling about this intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viola Seravalli
- Department of Health Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Dante Campana
- Department of Health Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Noemi Strambi
- Department of Health Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Debora Vialetto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Biomedical Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Mariarosaria Di Tommaso
- Department of Health Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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