Emergency cerclage: gestational and neonatal outcomes

Analysis of perinatal outcomes for emergency cervical cerclage in singleton pregnancies at 24-28 weeks of gestation

BACKGROUND

Cervical cerclage is the only effective treatment for cervical insufficiency, effectively preventing late miscarriage and preterm birth. The effectiveness and safety of emergency cervical cerclage (ECC) as an emergency treatment when the cervix is already dilated or when there is protrusion of the fetal membranes into the vagina remain controversial, especially in pregnancies at 24-28 weeks when the fetus is viable. There is still no consensus on whether emergency cervical cerclage should be performed in such cases.

PURPOSE

To investigate the effectiveness and safety of emergency cervical cerclage in singleton pregnant women at 24-28 weeks of gestation.

METHODS

This study employed a single-center prospective cohort design, enrolling singleton pregnant women at 24-28 weeks of gestation with ultrasound or physical examination indicating cervical dilation or even membrane protrusion. Emergency cervical cerclage was compared with conservative treatment. The primary endpoints included a comprehensive assessment of perinatal pregnancy loss, significant neonatal morbidity, and adverse neonatal outcomes. Secondary endpoints included prolonged gestational age, preterm birth, neonatal hospitalization rate, premature rupture of membranes, and intrauterine infection/chorioamnionitis.

RESULTS

From June 2021 to March 2023, a total of 133 pregnant women participated in this study, with 125 completing the trial, and were allocated to either the Emergency Cervical Cerclage (ECC) group (72 cases) or the conservative treatment group (53 cases) based on informed consent from the pregnant women. The rate of adverse neonatal outcomes was 8.33% in the ECC group and 26.42% in the conservative treatment (CT) group, with a statistically significant difference (P = 0.06). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of perinatal pregnancy loss and significant neonatal morbidity. The conservative treatment group had a mean prolonged gestational age of 63.0 (23.0, 79.5) days, while the ECC group had 84.0 (72.5, 89.0) days, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.001). Compared with CT group, the ECC group showed a significantly reduced incidence of preterm birth before 28 weeks, 32 weeks, and 34 weeks, with statistical significance (P = 0.046, 0.007, 0.001), as well as a significantly decreased neonatal hospitalization rate (P = 0.013, 0.031). Additionally, ECC treatment did not increase the risk of preterm premature rupture of membranes or intrauterine infection/chorioamnionitis, with no statistically significant differences (P = 0.406, 0.397).

CONCLUSION

In singleton pregnant women with cervical insufficiency at 24-28 weeks of gestation, emergency cervical cerclage can reduce adverse neonatal pregnancy outcomes, effectively prolong gestational age, decrease preterm births before 28 weeks, 32 weeks, and 34 weeks, lower neonatal hospitalization rates, and does not increase the risk of preterm premature rupture of membranes or intrauterine infection/chorioamnionitis.

Outcomes of Ultrasound or Physical Examination-Indicated Cerclage according to the Degree of Cervical Dilation

OBJECTIVE

Pregnancy outcomes of individuals receiving cervical cerclage when the cervix is dilated are not well known. We sought to examine preterm birth rates after ultrasound or physical examination-indicated cerclage placement according to the degree of cervical dilation.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective cohort study of individuals with singleton pregnancies undergoing ultrasound or physical examination-indicated cerclage before 240/7 weeks of gestation from 2004 to 2018. Individuals were categorized based on the degree of cervical dilation at the time of cerclage. Our primary outcome was preterm delivery at less than 37 weeks of gestation. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95th confidence intervals (95% CI), controlling for predefined covariates.

RESULTS

Of 147 individuals undergoing ultrasound or physical examination-indicated cerclage, 90/147 (61%) had a closed or 0.5 cm dilated cervix at the time of cerclage placement, 45/147 (31%) had a cervical dilation of 1 to 2.5 cm, and 12/147 (8%) had a cervical dilation of 3 to 4 cm at the time of placement. Individuals with a cervical dilation of 1 to 2.5 cm compared with those who had a closed cervix did not have increased odds of preterm delivery (58 vs. 42%; aOR: 1.95; 95% CI: 0.93-4.07). However, individuals with a cervical dilation of 3 to 4 cm compared with individuals who had a closed cervix had significantly increased odds of preterm delivery (75 vs. 42%; aOR: 4.33; 95% CI: 1.05-17.77).

CONCLUSION

The rate of preterm birth increases with increasing cervical dilation at the time of cerclage placement. However, individuals who have a cerclage placed when the cervix is 1 to 2.5 cm can achieve an outcome that is not significantly different from those who had a cerclage placed when the cervix is closed.

KEY POINTS

· Time from cerclage placement to delivery decreases as cervical dilation increases.. · Individuals 1 to 2.5 cm dilated at the time of cerclage can achieve a favorable outcome.. · A cervical dilation of ≥3 cm at cerclage placement was associated with extreme prematurity..

Perinatal outcomes of twin emergency cerclage: comparison with expectant treatment and singleton emergency cerclage

The present study aimed to evaluate the perinatal outcomes and influencing factors in twin pregnancies undergoing emergency cervical cerclage. The present retrospective cohort study included clinical data that were recorded between January 2015 and December 2021 at The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University (China). The study included data from 103 pregnancies (26 twin and 77 singleton pregnancies) that underwent emergency cerclage and 17 twin pregnancies that underwent expectant treatment. The median gestational age of twin emergency cerclage was significantly lower than that of singleton emergency cerclage, but higher than that of expectant treatment (28.5, 34.0 and 24.0 weeks, respectively). The median interval to delivery of twin emergency cerclage was significantly lower than that of singleton emergency cerclage, but significantly higher than that of expectantly treated twin pregnancies (37.0, 78.0 and 7.0 days, respectively).IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? An important cause of premature birth is cervical insufficiency. Cervical cerclage extends the gestational period of women with cervical insufficiency. According to 2019 SOGC's No. 373-Cervical Insufficiency and Cervical Cerclage, both twin and single pregnancies benefit from emergency cerclage. However, there is minimal information about the pregnancy outcomes of emergency cerclage in twin pregnancies.What the results of this study add? This study shows that the outcomes of pregnancy in twin pregnancies undergoing emergency cerclage were better than that of expectant treatment but worse than that in singleton pregnancies undergoing emergency cerclage.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? In this study, pregnant women with cervical insufficiency in twin pregnancies can benefit from emergency cerclage, we should treat those pregnant women as early as possible.

Comparison of emergency cervical cerclage and expectant treatment in cervical insufficiency in singleton pregnancy: A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To compare the therapeutic effects of emergency cervical cerclage and expectant treatment in preterm birth due to cervical insufficiency in singleton pregnancy.

METHODS

A combination of subject words and free words was used to search major domestic and foreign databases. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 23 studies were included that met the criteria and quality evaluation and data extraction was carried out. The data were analyzed using STATA 15 and the reporting was done in reference to the list of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta-Analyses.

RESULTS

Emergency cervical cerclage was superior to expectant treatment for the primary outcome of pregnancy prolongation (WMD = 5.752, 95% CI 5.194-6.311, 22 studies, N = 1435, I2 = 97.1%, P = 0.000). Cervical cerclage was also superior to expectant treatment for the secondary outcomes of neonatal birth weight (WMD = 1051.542, 95% CI 594.107-1508.977, 9 studies, N = 609, I2 = 96.4%, P = 0.000), neonatal Apgar 1' (WMD = 2.8720, 95% CI: 2.105-3.639, 11 studies, N = 716, I2 = 99.0%, P = 0.000), number of live births (OR = 6.018, 95% CI 2.882-12.568, 10 studies, N = 724, I2 = 55.3%, P = 0.000), deliveries after 32 weeks (OR = 8.030, 95% CI 1.38-46.892, 8 studies, N = 381, I2 = 85.9%, P = 0.021). deliveries after 34 weeks (OR = 15.91, 95% CI 5.92-42.77, 9 studies, N = 560, I2 = 59.6%, P = 0.000), number of vaginal deliveries (OR = 3.24, 95% CI 1.32-7.90, 8 studies, N = 502, I2 = 69.4%, P = 0.018), and number of neonatal survivals (OR = 9.300, 95% CI 3.472-24.910, 10 studies, N = 654, I2 = 80.5%, P = 0.000). No difference between emergency cervical cerclage and expectant treatment was found in patients with chorioamnionitis (OR = 1.85, 95% CI 0.602-4.583, 4 studies, N = 296, I2 = 16.3%, P = 0.273).

CONCLUSION

Before the 28th week of pregnancy, emergency cervical cerclage can significantly prolong the gestational week and improve the neonatal survival rate, compared to expectant treatment, in women with singleton pregnancies who have a dilated uterine orifice caused by cervical insufficiency.

A Three-Step Procedure for Emergency Cerclage: Gestational and Neonatal Outcomes

(1) Background: The objective of our prospective observational study was to evaluate a new technique for emergency cerclage, which was performed on a cohort of patients with cervical incompetence in the second trimester. (2) Methods: 26 pregnant women presented at 15 to 24 weeks of gestation with cervical dilatation and bursa prolapse. A new emergency cerclage was performed using a technique consisting of the first cerclage in a tobacco bag and a second occlusive cerclage located inferiorly to the first. The technique is concluded with the performance of a cervical cleisis when vaginal bag prolapse is present, and this overall procedure is called the three-step procedure for emergency cerclage (TSEC). (3) Results: To assess its effectiveness, we measured the latency from procedure to delivery, pregnancy duration, infant birth weight, and rate of premature amniorrhexis. The mean latency from procedure to delivery was 14 weeks + 6 days, the mean weight of newborns was 2550 g and the mean gestational age at delivery was 35 weeks. The neonatal survival rate was 95.8%. The rate of premature amniorrhexis (<34 weeks gestational age) was 8.3% (two cases) with successful perinatal outcomes. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) between groups. A multivariate regression model showed that the best variables for predicting the latency to delivery were the cervical dilatation at diagnosis, use of the three-step cerclage, cervical length after the procedure, and gestational age at diagnosis. (4) Conclusions: The excellent results obtained with the TSEC procedure in terms of the latency from the procedure to delivery, gestational age at delivery, birth weight, and having few reported complications highlight the importance of collecting new data on this promising novel procedure.

Emergency Cervical Cerclage

Despite the progress of medicine in the last decades, recurrent pregnancy loss, premature birth, and related complications are still a vast problem. The reasons for recurrent pregnancy loss and preterm delivery are diverse and multifactorial. One of the main reasons for these complications is cervical insufficiency, which means that the cervix is weak and unable to remain closed until the date of delivery. It manifests as painless softening and shortening of the cervix without contractions. The aim of the study was to review the available literature on rescue sutures, which are an emergency treatment in pregnancies with premature cervical dilatation and protrusion of the fetal membranes in the second trimester of pregnancy. This review confirms that emergency cerclage reduces the rate of preterm birth in patients with advanced cervical insufficiency. This procedure prolongs gestational age and improves the chances of survival of the newborn without increasing the risk of chorioamnionitis and preterm premature rupture of membranes.

A comparison of pregnancy outcome of emergency modified transvaginal cervicoisthmic cerclage performed in twin and singleton pregnancies

PURPOSE

To compare the pregnancy outcome of emergency cerclage performed in twin and singleton pregnancies.

METHODS

A retrospective trial was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital in Zhejiang, China, from January 2013 to December 2018. A total of 89 women with acute cervical incompetence underwent the emergency cerclage. Main outcome measures were gestational age at delivery and the fetal outcome.

RESULTS

There were 31 twin and 58 singleton pregnancies that underwent emergency cerclage. In singleton pregnancies, gestational age at delivery (31.57 ± 6.11 vs 28.81 ± 4.34, p = 0.016), and prolongation of pregnancy (8.69 ± 6.13 vs 5.41 ± 3.72, p < 0.001) were greater, and the preterm delivery rate before 34 weeks was lower (53.4% vs 80.6%, p = 0.011) compared with twin pregnancies. Fetal weight was greater in singletons than in twins (2377.3 ± 862.1 vs 1630.3 ± 557.6, p < 0.001), but the fetal survival rate was similar. The proportion of twin gestations was significantly higher in the group with preterm delivery before 34 weeks (44.6% vs 18.2%, p = 0.011) and the proportion of previous term delivery was higher in the group with delivery at or after 34 weeks (30.3% vs 12.5%, p = 0.039). The group with preterm delivery before 34 weeks had a significantly larger size of visible membranes at cerclage than the group with delivery at or after 34 weeks (2.23 ± 0.86 vs 1.64 ± 0.80, p = 0.001). In binary logistic regression analysis, twin gestations and a larger size of visible membranes were associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery.

CONCLUSION

The pregnancy outcome of emergency cerclage appears to have a better prognosis in singleton pregnancies than in twin pregnancies, and twin pregnancy is a risk factor for preterm delivery.

Association of Cerclage with Composite Adverse Outcomes among Women Delivered at 36 Weeks or Later

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes among singletons delivered at 36 weeks or later with cerclage during index pregnancy versus those without cerclage.

STUDY DESIGN

This retrospective cohort study utilized the U.S. vital statistics datasets from 2011 to 2013. Inclusion criteria were women with nonanomalous singletons, with and without cerclage placement, without diabetes or hypertensive disorders, and delivered at 36 to 41 weeks. The coprimary outcomes were composite maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes. Composite maternal adverse outcome included admission to intensive care unit, maternal transfusion, ruptured uterus, unplanned hysterectomy, or unplanned operating room procedure. Composite neonatal adverse outcome included Apgar score less than 5 at 5 minutes, assisted ventilation for more than 6 hours, neonatal seizure, birth injury, or neonatal death. Secondary outcomes were chorioamnionitis and cesarean delivery. Multivariable Poisson's regression models with error variance were used while adjusting for confounders. Adjusted relative risk (aRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

RESULTS

Of the 8,508,228 women who met inclusion criteria, 0.2% had a cerclage and reached 36 weeks. Composite maternal (aRR: 2.04; 95% CI: 1.76-2.36) and neonatal (aRR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.11-1.47) adverse outcomes were significantly higher among those with cerclage than those without cerclage. Chorioamnionitis (aRR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.30-1.67) and cesarean delivery (aRR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.08-1.12) were also significantly higher in women with cerclage than those without cerclage.

CONCLUSION

There is an association between increased composite maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes among women with cerclage who delivered at 36 to 41 weeks as compared with those without cerclage.

KEY POINTS

· Cerclage is associated with increased composite maternal adverse outcome in women at 36-41 weeks.. · Cerclage is associated with increased composite neonatal adverse outcome in women at 36-41 weeks.. · Increased chorioamnionitis and cesarean delivery rates are associated with cerclage in women at 36-41 weeks..