Does cerclage prevent pregnancy loss? The debate continues

Article

Using a cervical stitch to prevent singleton pregnancy loss may or may not work. In a recent British meta-analysis, which included seven trials and just over 2,000 women, although the results suggested that cerclage might reduce the risk of pregnancy loss or death of the baby before hospital discharge by 19%, the percentage failed to reach statistical significance (OR 0.81; 95% CI, 0.60-1.10). And efficacy seemed uninfluenced by indication, maternal obstetric history, cervical length, or timing of the procedure during pregnancy.

Using a cervical stitch to prevent singleton pregnancy loss may or may not work. In a recent British meta-analysis, which included seven trials and just over 2,000 women, although the results suggested that cerclage might reduce the risk of pregnancy loss or death of the baby before hospital discharge by 19%, the percentage failed to reach statistical significance (OR 0.81; 95% CI, 0.60-1.10). And efficacy seemed uninfluenced by indication, maternal obstetric history, cervical length, or timing of the procedure during pregnancy.

The analysis also showed that the procedure should not be used for pregnancies with multiple gestations. In this group, according to the data, cerclage has a detrimental effect on the outcome of pregnancy loss or death before discharge from the hospital (OR 5.88; 95% CI, 1.14-30.19), but only a small number of multiple pregnancies were included in the analysis.

Jorgensen AL, Alfirevic Z, Tudor Smith CT, et al. Cervical stitch for preventing pregnancy loss: individual patient data meta-analysis. BJOG. 2007;114:1460-1476.

Recent Videos
Devon Ramaeker, MD
Elizabeth Gandee, APRN-CNP, highlights gaps in women's menopause knowledge | Image Credit: wexnermedical.osu.edu
Doula highlights how postpartum care is failing new mothers | Image Credit: linkedin.com
Nicky Herrick MD; and Anushree Agarwal, MD, MBBS, highlight their study on cardiac arrhythmias in pregnancy | Image Credit: © Igor Borodin - stock.adobe.com.
Lisa Becht, MD, FACOG, sheds light on fertility awareness | Image Credit: havingbabies.com.
First US national HPV conference highlights advances in cancer prevention | Image Credit: uchealth.com.
Mitchell Creinin, MD, reports estetrol pill eases menstrual symptoms | Image Credit: health.ucdavis.edu
1 expert is featured in this series.
Susanna Mitro, PhD, reveals ethnic disparities in uterine fibroid diagnosis | Image Credit: divisionofresearch.kaiserpermanente.org.
Shayna Mancuso, DO, highlights the real impact of menopause | Image Credit: linkedin.com.
Related Content
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.