Successful treatment of cervical incompetence using a modified laparoscopic cervical cerclage technique: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

We introduce a modified surgical method for laparoscopic cervical cerclage (LCC) and compare the operative data and obstetric outcomes to those obtained by traditional vaginal cerclage (TVC).

STUDY DESIGN

This is a prospective cohort study in a university-affiliated hospital from August 2008 through February 2013. Nineteen patients treated by LCC were prospectively monitored and the treatment outcomes were compared to a control group consisted of 25 patients that were retrospectively studied and treated with TVC using traditional McDonald suture. Laparoscopic cervical cerclage was performed with Mersilene tape and a modified surgical technique. Perioperative complications and obstetric outcomes were compared between LCC and TVC treatment groups.

RESULTS

No perioperative complications occurred during LCC treatment. Of the 19 LCC patients, 15 (78.9%) became pregnant during the study period. The fetal salvage rate was 92.3% (12/13) and no adverse events were encountered. The mean gestational age in LCC group was 36.4 weeks, and it was 17.4 weeks longer than their previous pregnancy age, which was significantly higher than obtained by TVC.

CONCLUSION

This modified technique for laparoscopic cervical cerclage demonstrates good obstetric outcomes with low risk of adverse events, which may provide a reasonable alternative to achieve pregnancy success in patients with cervical incompetence.