Abstract
Background: Cervical insufficiency, the dilation of the cervix in the absence of contractions or labor, can cause second-trimester pregnancy loss or preterm birth. Cervical cerclage is a common treatment for cervical insufficiency and has 3 indications for placement: history, physical examination, and ultrasound. The purpose of this study was to compare pregnancy and birth outcomes for physical examination- and ultrasound-indicated cerclage. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational descriptive review of second-trimester obstetric patients with transcervical cerclage performed by residents at a single tertiary care medical center from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2020. We present data on all patients and compare outcomes between the 2 study groups: patients who received physical examination-indicated cerclage vs those who received ultrasound-indicated cerclage. Results: Cervical cerclage was placed on 43 patients at a mean gestational age of 20.4 ± 2.4 weeks (range, 14 to 25 weeks) and with a mean cervical length of 1.53 ± 0.5 cm (range, 0.4 to 2.5 cm). With a latency period of 11.8 ± 5.7 weeks, mean gestational age at delivery was 32.1 ± 6.2 weeks. Fetal/neonatal survival rates were comparable: 80% (16/20) for the physical examination group compared to 82.6% (19/23) for the ultrasound group. No differences were found between groups for gestational age at delivery-31.5 ± 6.8 in the physical examination group vs 32.6 ± 5.8 in the ultrasound group (P=0.581)-or for preterm birth <37 weeks-65.0% (13/20) in the physical examination group vs 65.2% (15/23) in the ultrasound group (P=1.000). Rates of maternal morbidity and neonatal intensive care unit morbidity were similar between the groups. No cases of immediate operative complications or maternal deaths occurred. Conclusion: Pregnancy outcomes for physical examination- and ultrasound-indicated cerclage placed by residents at a tertiary academic medical center were similar. Fetal/neonatal survival and preterm birth rates were favorable for physical examination-indicated cerclage when compared to other published studies.