The effectiveness of emergency cervical cerclage: a retrospective observational study

INTRODUCTION: We purposed to determine the outcome of emergency cervical cerclage (ECC) in pregnancies who had cervical dilatation in clinical examination.
METHODS: We evaluated 20 women between 18-25 weeks and performed ECC with the McDonald technique. We collected data included: prolongation of pregnancy, gestational age at delivery, neonatal survival rate, and perioperative complications.
RESULTS: The mean gestational week of pregnancy was 21±1,6 at cerclage operation, and mean cervical dilatation was 2,5±1,1 mm. The mean prolongation of pregnancy and the mean gestational age at delivery were 47,3±37,1, and 27,8±5,3 were respectively. The mean birth weight was 1184±866 g. A perioperative complication occurred in 1 (5%) case. 15 of 20 (75%) neonates admitted to NICU and neonatal survival was 65%. Half of the cases delivered after 28 weeks of gestation, and there was no perinatal mortality in this group.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: ECC is a beneficial procedure to prolong pregnancy and to improve perinatal outcomes.