The Feasibility of a Modified Method of Laparoscopic Transabdominal Cervicoisthmic Cerclage During Pregnancy

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate a modified laparoscopic transabdominal cervicoisthmic cerclage (LTCC) technique after failure of transvaginal cerclage during pregnancy in women with cervical weakness.

Materials and Methods: Eighty women in whom transvaginal cerclage was unsuccessful or who were anatomically unsuitable for the procedure underwent modified LTCC between January 2003 and December 2008 at Keimyung University, Dongsan Medical Center, Daegu, South Korea. The modified LTCC was performed using a polyfilament polyester double-armed needle that was sutured laterally to the uterine vessels at the level of the internal cervical os. Survival of the fetus was used to calculate the successful pregnancy rate of this modified LTCC. The relationship between successful pregnancy rate and clinical variables was evaluated using a chi-squared test and a Mann–Whitney U test.

Results: The mean gestational age was 12.1 weeks (range, 11–15 weeks). The operation time was 52 minutes (range, 25–100 minutes). The successful pregnancy rate was 90% (72/80 pregnancies), with a mean gestational age of 36.3±2.7 weeks. The mean newborn weight was 2690 g (range, 1860–3750 g). Eight pregnancies were lost in the first and second trimesters due to spontaneous abortion, premature rupture of the membrane, and termination due to anomaly; no other complications occurred. No statistical difference was found between the successful pregnancy rate and the measured clinical variables.