Transabdominal cerclage (TAC) for patients with ultra-short uterine cervix after uterine cervix surgery and its impact on pregnancy

Obstetric outcomes of transabdominal cerclage: A retrospective observational study in Japan

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the obstetric outcomes of transabdominal cerclage (TAC) in Japan.

METHODS

Questionnaires on TAC were sent to 183 institutions performing high-quality perinatal management in Japan. As a first-step questionnaire, we asked whether TAC was performed between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2022. In the second step of the questionnaire, the characteristics of all cases were asked from all institutions in which TAC was performed.

RESULTS

The response rate for the first survey was 59% (108/183). Of the 108 institutions, 27 performed TAC (25%) in 133 pregnancies. Of these 27 institutions, 19 responded to the second survey. One hundred twenty-five pregnancies were included in this study, five of which were aborted (gestational weeks <22 weeks), and 69 babies were born after 37 gestational weeks (55%). Eighty-two open abdominal cerclages were performed at 17 institutions and 43 laparoscopic TACs at three institutions. There were no differences in the age at TAC, gestational weeks at TAC, operative time of TAC, gestational weeks at delivery, incidence rate of second-trimester loss, or preterm delivery (before 37 gestational weeks) rate between the two groups. However, blood loss during open TAC was greater than that during laparoscopic TAC.

CONCLUSION

TAC is a rare surgery for cervical insufficiency in Japan. TAC may be a safe and useful method for preventing second-trimester loss and preterm delivery in high-risk patients. TAC may also be a key option in Japan to improve perinatal outcomes in patients with cervical insufficiency.

Microbiological investigation of pregnancies following vaginal radical trachelectomy using 16S rRNA sequencing of FFPE placental specimens

This study examined the risk of intrauterine infection associated with radical trachelectomy (RT) in early-stage cervical cancer patients. This procedure preserves fertility but is linked to increased risk of intrauterine infection due to cervical defects during pregnancy. DNA was extracted from the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) placental specimens of 23 pregnant post-RT patients and 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used for bacterial identification. The prevalence of Lactobacillus crispatus and Burkholderia stabilis was significantly higher in the non-chorioamnionitis group. In contrast, alpha diversity analysis using the PD index showed significantly higher diversity in the chorioamnionitis group (P = 0.04). The demonstrated relationship between chorioamnionitis and microbial diversity affirms the importance of controlling the genital bacterial flora in pregnancies following RT.

The effectiveness of transabdominal cerclage placement via laparoscopy or laparotomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Failure or technical impossibility to place a prophylactic transvaginal cerclage in women with cervical insufficiency justifies the need for an abdominal cerclage. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we studied the obstetrical and surgical outcomes of laparoscopic and open laparotomy abdominal cerclage approaches performed before (interval) or during pregnancy.

DATA SOURCES

We performed a systematic literature search in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for studies on laparoscopic and open laparotomy abdominal cerclage placement in February 2022.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

All studies on laparoscopic or open laparotomy placement of an abdominal cerclage with at least 2 patients that reported on our primary outcomes were included.

METHODS

All included studies were assessed for quality and risk of bias with an adjusted Quality in Prognosis Study tool. Random effects meta-analyses were performed for the primary outcomes, namely fetal survival and gestational age at delivery.

RESULTS

Our search yielded 83 studies with a total of 3398 patients; 1869 of those underwent laparoscopic cerclage placement and 1529 underwent open laparotomy placements. No studies directly compared the 2 cerclage approaches. The survival (overall, 91.2%) and gestational age at delivery (overall, 36.6 weeks) were not statistically different between the approaches. For the procedure during pregnancy, the laparoscopic group showed significantly less blood loss >400 mL (0% vs 3%), a slightly lower procedure-related fetal loss (0% vs 1%), a shorter hospital stay but a longer operation duration than the open laparotomy group. For the interval cerclages, the laparoscopic group showed significantly fewer wound infections (0% vs 3%) and a shorter hospital stay than the open laparotomy group, but showed comparable offspring preterm birth and survival rates.

CONCLUSION

Based on indirect comparisons, the laparoscopic and open laparotomy abdominal cerclage placements at interval or during pregnancy produced similar outcomes in terms of survival and gestational age at delivery. There are some small differences in perioperative care, surgical complications, interventions, and complications during pregnancy. This implies that both methods of abdominal cerclage placement have high success rates and thus we cannot conclude that one of the methods is superior for the placement of an abdominal cerclage.

The oncological and obstetric results of radical trachelectomy as a fertility-sparing therapy in early-stage cervical cancer patients

Purpose

This study explored the oncological and obstetric results of radical trachelectomy (RT) in early-stage cervical cancer patients.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted the oncological and obstetric results of 23 patients with early cervical cancer (stages IA2–IB3; International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 2018) who underwent RT in The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guiyang, China, from October 2004 to September 2018.

Results

23 patients had cervical tumors of the squamous cell carcinoma histological type. All 23 patients retained reproductive function. The mean follow-up time was 112.87 ± 55.75 (36–199) months. The median tumor size was 2.00 ± 1.35 cm (imperceptible to the eyes 5.00 cm). No recurrence was observed in any of the patient cases. Among the patients with a tumor size > 4 cm (up to 5 cm), three patients who wished to preserve fertility accepted RT following neoadjuvant chemotherapy The pregnancy outcomes were as follows: 8 cases (47.06%) out of 17 cases who attempting pregnancy conceived 12 times.First-trimester abortion and the voluntary abandonment of pregnancy occurred in 4 cases (33.33%), respectively, one patient performed deliberate termination at 24 weeks of gestation. Second-trimester abortion occurred in three cases (25.0%) for chorioamnionitis. Premature delivery at 32 weeks occurred in one case (8.33%).

Conclusion

Radical trachelectomy is a safe and effective treatment for women with early-stage cervical cancer preserving fertility biology. Patients with a cervical tumor sized > 4 cm can be pregnant after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and RT. Accordingly, this treatment is worthy of further exploration.

Efficacy of laparoscopic and trans-abdominal cerclage (TAC) in patients with cervical insufficiency: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Cervical insufficiency (CI) may result in preterm delivery. We sought out to perform this review and analysis to compare the efficacy of laparoscopic and open transabdominal cerclage (TAC) in patients suffering with CI.

METHODS

Our search included PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.Gov, Cochrane and Web of Science. We analyzed the data with Open Meta-Analyst Software as well as Review Manager Software. We included observational and randomized controlled trials that included patients with CI that underwent laparoscopic cerclage or TAC.

RESULTS

We included a total of 43 studies. Laparoscopic and TAC had a positive effect by increasing gestational age (GA); for the laparoscopic group (mean deviation (MD)) = 14.86 weeks (W), 95% CI [10.67, 19.05], P < 0.001) and TAC (MD = 12.79 W, 95% CI [10.97, 14.61], P < 0.001). Furthermore, improvements in all outcomes assessed (total fetal survival rate, neonatal weight, and prevention of delivery at a gestational age of<24 weeks) were all significant with the exception of the prevention of all preterm deliveries<37 weeks; for both laparoscopic at (RR = 0.116, 95% CI [-0.006, 0.238], P = 0.063) and TAC at (MD = 1, 95% CI [0.45, 2.24], P = 1), and for prevention of deliveries<34 weeks for the laparoscopic group (RR = 0.446, 95% CI [-0.323, 1.215], P = 0.256) only.

CONCLUSIONS

Although limited data prevented pregnancy and prepregnancy subgroups as well as a head-to-head comparison, we still found that in patients suffering from CI, both TAC and laparoscopic approaches to cerclage revealed a positive effect in preserving the pregnancy.

A modified transabdominal cervicoisthmic cerclage with the monofilament thread: Its efficacy and safety for women with extremely short cervix due to cervical conization

AIM

The study aimed to examine the usefulness of modified transabdominal cervicoisthmic cerclage (TAC) using monofilament thread for the prevention of preterm delivery in women with an extremely short cervix after deep conization.

METHODS

We devised a monofilament thread for picking up the seromuscular layer of the site that is slightly cephalad to the internal ostium to prevent injury of the vessels around the uterine cervix. From 2017 to 2020, we performed this modified operation in eight women (nine pregnancies) at 12-16 weeks of gestation with a history of deep cervical conization.

RESULTS

A modified TAC was successfully performed in all patients. There was no measurable bleeding, and all patients were discharged without postoperative complications. Their pregnancy courses after the operation were uneventful. Of nine, one patient had premature uterine contractions and underwent cesarean section at 36 weeks (preterm delivery). In the other eight pregnancies, planned cesarean section was performed after 37 weeks of gestation. The median birth weight of the babies was 2996 g (range 2604-3374 g). All patients were discharged on the sixth postoperative day without complications.

CONCLUSION

A modified TAC can be safely performed and may prolong pregnancy without adverse events in patients with an extremely short cervix.

The Role of Laparoscopic Surgery in the Treatment of Advanced Uterine Prolapse: A Systematic Review of the Literature

The aim of this review is to investigate and compare all laparoscopic techniques that can be used in the surgical repair of advanced uterine prolapse. A systematic search of the PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Clinicaltrials.gov databases was performed for articles published up to December 2020, reporting data on the treatment of severe uterine prolapse using laparoscopic procedures. Only studies in the English language, with a patient sample of ≥20 and a follow-up time of ≥12 months were included. The final synthesis of this review consisted of six studies. The main laparoscopic procedures reported were vaginally assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy, vaginally assisted laparoscopic uterine sacropexy, laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy with laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy, laparoscopic inguinal ligament suspension with uterine preservation, and laparoscopic uterosacral ligament suspension combined with trachelectomy. All procedures involved mesh placement, except for laparoscopic uterosacral ligament suspension. All procedures reported anatomical cure rates > 90%. Vaginally assisted laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy had the largest amount of intraoperative blood loss whilst vaginally assisted laparoscopic uterine sacropexy was associated with bladder injuries intraoperatively. All vaginally assisted procedures reported cases of mesh extrusion postoperatively. Laparoscopic inguinal ligament suspension was the operation with the longest mean operative and hospitalization time. Conversions were not reported. The present study shows that minimally invasive surgery can be used efficiently as an alternative to open surgery in the treatment of severe uterine prolapse.

Management of pregnancy after radical trachelectomy

Radical trachelectomy (RT) is a surgery for early-stage cervical cancer treatment that preserves the childbearing ability, and its use has become increasingly common worldwide. Thus, the rate of conception in women who have undergone RT is increasing. However, pregnancy after RT is associated with a higher risk of several obstetric complications such as preterm delivery, preterm premature membrane rupture, and abnormal bleeding from varices at the site of uterovaginal anastomosis. Furthermore, since RT have a residual prophylactic cerclage, it is difficult to manage first- and second-trimester miscarriages. There is little previous data on the management of pregnancy after RT. In this review article, we summarize various management methods and experiences to provide a guide to clinicians for perinatal management after RT.

Complications of Laparoscopic and Transabdominal Cerclage in Patients with Cervical Insufficiency: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Cervical insufficiency is a defect of the cervix that leads to failure to preserve a full-term intrauterine pregnancy. Laparoscopic cerclage and open transabdominal cerclage (TAC) are effective ways to manage patients with cervical insufficiency. We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the complications of laparoscopic cerclage and open TAC in the management of cervical insufficiency.

DATA SOURCES

We searched PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science using our search strategy and screened the results for our criteria. We extracted the results reported and analyzed them using Open Meta-Analyst (OpenMeta[Analyst], Brown School of Public Health, Providence, RI) and Review Manager (Cochrane Collaboration, London, United Kingdom) software.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION

We included all randomized controlled and observational trials performed on patients with cervical insufficiency undergoing open TAC or laparoscopic cerclage that matched our search strategy. We excluded letters to the editor, reviews, meetings/conference abstracts, non-English or nonhuman studies, and instances where the full text was not available.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS

We included a total of 33 trials. Both interventions of laparoscopic cerclage and open TAC were associated with significantly less total fetal loss (laparoscopic cerclage, relative risk [RR] 0.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01-0.08; p <.001, and open TAC, RR 0.19; 95% CI, 0.07-0.51; p <.009). The overall blood loss in open TAC was 110.589 mL (95% CI, 93.737-127.44; p <.001), and in laparoscopic cerclage, it was 24.549 mL (95% CI, 9.892-39.205; p = .001). In addition, open TAC had a positive effect regarding incidence of hemorrhage >400 mL (RR 0.077; 95% CI, 0.033-0.122; p <.001). Preterm premature rupture of membranes was significant in the open TAC (RR 0.037; 95% CI, 0.019-0.055; p <.001) and laparoscopic cerclage groups (RR 0.031; 95% CI, 0.009-0.053; p = .006).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic cerclage may be safer than open TAC in the management of cervical insufficiency because we found a statistically significant lower incidence of fetal loss, blood loss, and rate of hemorrhage in the laparoscopic cerclage group. Clinically, this evidence may help support favoring a laparoscopic approach over an open one in appropriate patients, although it is unclear whether this benefit is limited to cerclages placed either before pregnancy or placed in the first-trimester or both.

Pregnancy outcomes following elective abdominal cerclage following cervical excision surgery for neoplastic disease

BACKGROUND

Local excisional treatment of neoplastic disease of the cervix in the form of loop excision (LLETZ) and conisation has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including prelabour premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB). Insertion of a cervical cerclage is indicated for women with a short cervix <25 mm between 16 and 24 weeks gestation who also have a history of either PPROM or a history of cervical excisional treatment. The optimum timing of the cerclage and surgical technique used are both open to debate. This retrospective review of cases was performed to examine the outcomes of elective pre pregnancy placement of abdominal cervical cerclage in women who have undergone cervical excision surgery for neoplastic disease.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review of case notes. Over a 10 year period 20 women who had previous cervical excision surgery had pre-pregnancy abdominal cerclage placed became pregnant with 26 pregnancies. One woman had a cone biopsy, 9 had a single LLETZ procedure, 8 had 2 LLETZ procedures and 2 women had 3 LLETZ procedures prior to the cerclage.

RESULTS

21 pregnancies were achieved spontaneously, 1 by intrauterine insemination (IUI) and 4 were conceived by in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). Overall, 22 of 26 (84.6 %) pregnancies were delivered at term. There was a single 7 week miscarriage and 3 premature deliveries (12 %) including 1 preterm birth at 29 + 4 weeks gestation after an antepartum haemorrhage (APH) and 2 late preterm births at 36 + 3 (following APH) and 36 + 4 weeks gestation following preterm labour. All 25 women were delivered by Caesarean section and all 25 babies survived.

CONCLUSION

There results of prophylactic minimally invasive insertion of a transabdominal cerclage in women with LLETZ treatments or cone biopsy prior to pregnancy demonstrated 84.6 % of pregnancies resulted in a live birth. The premature delivery rate was 12 %.

Management of pregnancy after fertility-sparing surgery for cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is increasingly diagnosed in women who have not yet completed their reproductive plans. For women with early-stage disease (FIGO stage IA1-IB1), fertility-sparing procedures, such as conization, trachelectomy or radical trachelectomy, represent the treatments of choice. However, women who undergo repeated conization or trachelectomy represent a challenge for obstetricians because they are at increased risk of infertility, mid-trimester miscarriage, preterm premature rupture of membranes and preterm delivery. So far, the evidence-based guidance on the management of these pregnancies is limited. This article reviews the literature discussing pregnancy management in women after fertility-sparing surgery for early cervical cancer. Although the evidence is limited, certain measures are desirable, including screening and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria, screening for cervical incompetence and progressive cervical shortening by transvaginal ultrasonography, and fetal fibronectin testing. Vaginal progesterone supplementation should be primary prevention for all women after trachelectomy. Women with a history of preterm delivery or late miscarriage may benefit from cervical cerclage. Elective delivery by cesarean section in the early-term period is desirable.

Pregnancies after vaginal radical trachelectomy (RT) in patients with early invasive uterine cervical cancer: results from a single institute

Background

Radical tracheletomy (RT) with pelvic lymphadenectomy has become an option for young patients with early invasive uterine cervical cancer who desire to maintain their fertility. However, this operative method entails a high risk for the following pregnancy due to its radicality.

Methods

We have performed vaginal RT for 71 patients and have experienced 28 pregnancies in 21 patients. They were followed up carefully according to the follow-up methods we reported previously. Their pregnancy courses and prognoses after the pregnancy were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

All the vaginal RTs were performed safely without serious complications, including 6 patients who underwent the operation during pregnancy. The median time to be pregnant after RT was 29.5 months. 13 patients (46%) became pregnant without artificial insemination by husband or assisted reproductive technology. Cesarean section was performed for all of them. The median time of pregnancy was 34 weeks, and emergent cesarean section was performed for 7 pregnancies (25%). The median birth weight was 2156 g. Four patients had trouble with cervical cerclage, and they suffered from sudden premature preterm rupture of the membrane (pPROM) during the second trimester of pregnancy. We underwent transabdominal cerclage (TAC) for all of them and careful management for the prevention of uterine infection was performed. One patient had a recurrence of cancer during pregnancy.

Conclusions

Both the obstetrical prognosis and oncological prognosis after vaginal RT have become favorable for pregnant patients after vaginal RT.

First case of twin pregnancy after vaginal radical trachelectomy in a Japanese woman

Twin pregnancy after radical trachelectomy (RT) for uterine cervical cancer involves an extremely high risk of preterm premature rupture of the membrane (pPROM) and the following occurrence of preterm birth. Herein we report the first case of twin pregnancy after vaginal RT in a Japanese woman. The patient was a 36-year-old nulliparous woman. She became pregnant with twins one year after vaginal RT with laparoscopic lymphadenectomy and the following treatment with the use of in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer. Her pregnancy course was favorable with vaginal disinfection, bed rest, and administration of progesterone, ritodrine, and an ulinastatin vaginal suppository. At 31 weeks + 4 days of pregnancy, a scheduled cesarean section was performed. One baby weighed 1000g, with Apgar scores of 7/8, and the other 1100g, with Apgar scores of 8/9. Her postpartum course was also favorable. The mother remains without evidence of recurrence of the cancer at the time of this report.