Cervical Cerclage

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Cervical Cerclage

Some women are known to have what’s called an incompetent cervix (also referred to as cervical insufficiency). This means that a woman’s cervix is unusually weak and may not be able to properly hold a baby in place during pregnancy. Having an incompetent cervix can cause a woman to go into early labor, which can be risky or even fatal for the baby.

In a patient with cervical insufficiency, there is a premature opening of the cervix (internal os). The concern is that the cervix might further dilate and to cause uterine activity.

Cervical cerclage is surgical procedure in which stitches or surgical tape are used to close the cervix opening. It is a common treatment for cervical incompetency and helps to ensure that the baby stays in the uterus for the appropriate amount of time. The cervical cerclage will keep the cervix closed until around 37-38 weeks of pregnancy, when the doctor will remove the cerclage and allow labor to naturally begin.

An abdominal cerclage is also an option to treat cervical insufficiency. It is a more aggressive Abdominal cerclage is also more invasive. The procedure is typically performed by maternal-fetal medicine doctors where there is more effacement and dilatation of the cervix.

Abdominal or cervical cerclage are not the only option. A more conservative approach would involve bedrest (using the Trendelenburg position), IV fluids and close monitoring. What is the Trendelenburg position? The woman lays supine or flat at a slight incline with her feet elevated.

What Is a Cervical Cerclage?

Cervical cerclage (or cervix stitch) is a surgical procedure in which a doctor will physically sew a woman’s cervix shut to prevent it from opening. Cervical cerclages can be extremely useful to prevent miscarriages or early labor for pregnant women.

Although it might sound scary, this procedure is standard treatment for women with an incompetent cervix and rarely has any type of complications. Cervical cerclage is also a highly effective treatment method. According to a study recently published in the Professional Medical Journal, cervical cerclage procedures are successful 85% to 90% of the time1.

There are several different types of cervical cerclage procedures:

  • McDonald Cerclage : the cervical opening is cinched shut with traditional surgical stitching between 16 to 18 weeks and the stitch is removed around week 37. This is by far the most common type of cervical cerclage.
  • Shirodkar Cerclage : with this method the stitching is done in the walls of the cervix rather than the opening. This is a more difficult procedure compared to the traditional McDonald method, but the deeper level of the sutures is believed to reduce the risk of infection. This is permanent and will be in for all future pregnancies. The doctors take a piece of fascia lata (which is like as elastic stocking) out of the woman’s thigh and encircle the cervix with it.
  • Abdomen Cerclage : the cervix is stitched shut at the very top of the cervical opening (in the abdominal area). Again, this is more evasive. This method is permanent and is usually only done in cases where conventional cerclage methods are not viable. This procedure is often indicated because doing the cerclage vaginally is difficult because of the degree of funneling, cervical dilatation or effacement. This is also often a path when a prior cervical cerclage has failed.

What is Cervical Cerclage Used For?

Cervical cerclage is a treatment method for an incompetent cervix. Only a certain small percentage of women – less than 1% – will experience this complication during pregnancy. Cervical incompetency is usually something that is diagnosed early in pregnancy. However, there are some women who are already at a higher risk for cervix complications and a doctor may preemptively decide to perform a cervical cerclage to avoid potential complications2. Some common risk factor for a weak cervix include:

  • Having a history of second-trimester miscarriages
  • Having cervix damage from a previous abortion
  • A previous “cone biopsy” or “LEEP” procedure

When is the Best Time for a Cervical Cerclage?

Cervical cerclage is usually performed by the third month of pregnancy, or between 12-14 weeks3. Early detection of the problem is key to preventing further issues later in the pregnancy. Some women may need a cervical cerclage later in pregnancy due to a sudden problem of the cervix shortening or opening, this is referred to as an emergent cerclage4. If a woman ends up needing an emergent cerclage, this is usually a sign that future pregnancies will face the same problem5.

If the cervix opening is detected too late, cervical cerclage may not be an option because the opening is already too large. In these cases, women may be put on bed rest to reduce the possibility of early labor.

Benefits and Risks of Cervical Cerclage

It is always best to discuss with your doctor about the best route to take when overcoming pregnancy complications. Doctors will only suggest a cervical cerclage if they know the benefits outweigh the risks. A cervical cerclage that is properly performed can protect your baby from miscarriage or any complications presented from being born too early. It can have life-saving results and widely regarded as the best option for an incompetent cervix6.

In rare cases, there could be some side effects that range from mild to severe. These risks include:

  • Premature contractions
  • Cervical dystocia, or the cervix’s inability to dilate properly during labor
  • Rupture of membranes
  • Cervical infection
  • Cervical laceration
  • Nausea and vomiting from anesthesia

Some side-effects can indicate something has gone wrong with the procedure. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these side-effects after the procedure:

  • Contractions
  • Lower abdominal pain that comes in waves, similar to labor
  • Vaginal bleeding
  • A high fever over 100 F
  • Foul smelling vaginal discharge
  • Water breaking or leaking

The Cervical Cerclage Procedure

There are a few discussions and procedures you will have to go through before getting the cervical cerclage. Your doctor will go through your medical history with you and discuss any other pregnancy complications you have experienced in the past. Your doctor will also discuss different pain management options for the procedure, usually recommending some kind of localized or generalized anesthesia.

A physical examination of the cervix and a transvaginal ultrasound will be given prior to the procedure so the specialist can properly see your cervix and decide how to properly sew it. Being nervous or feeling anxiety about the procedure is natural, and it may help to bring up any questions or concerns you have at the initial appointment to ease any stress.

The actual procedure for a cervical cerclage is relatively simple. After giving the anesthesia (usually general, spinal, or epidural), the doctor will use a band of strong thread to sew around the cervix and tighten it until it’s completely shut.

After the procedure, you may have to stay at the hospital for a few hours or possibly stay overnight. This is to make sure there are no immediate complications with contractions or early labor. It’s normal to experience light bleeding and cramping for a few days, which is usually followed by a thick vaginal discharge that may last several weeks7. To prevent any kind of cervical infection, you may be given medication like antibiotics to take. You should plan to rest at home until the stitches are fully healed or until your doctor tells you it’s okay to resume regular activity. To avoid complications, it’s advised you abstain from sexual intercourse one week before the procedure and at least one week afterward8.

What Happens During the Removal?

The cervical cerclage will remain until around the 37th week of pregnancy but can be removed earlier if your water breaks or labor contractions start9. The stitches will be removed in a doctor’s office, which will only take a few minutes. The removal procedure is similar to getting a pap smear, and should not cause a lot of pain.

Sources and Additional Reading

  1. Manzoor, U., Shahzad, U., Sharif, N., Bano, S., Farhat, R., & Zia, K. (2019). Cervical Cerclage; Significance of Cervical Cerclage. Professional Medical Journal, 26(5), 846-853. ↩︎
  2. Tufail, N., Bano, N., Asif, U., & Asif, M. (2019). Cervical Incompetence; Role of Cervical Cerclage in Cervical Incompetence. Professional Medical Journal, 26(5), 831-835. ↩︎
  3. Tufail, N., Bano, N., Asif, U., & Asif, M. (2019). Cervical Incompetence; Role of Cervical Cerclage in Cervical Incompetence. Professional Medical Journal, 26(5), 831-835. ↩︎
  4. Cervical Cerclage-Elective and Emergent. (2014). Anesthesiologist’s Manual of Surgical Procedures. 2014, p851-854. ↩︎
  5. Dawes, L., & Groom, K. M. (2015). Cervical cerclage. Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Reproductive Medicine, 25(11), 333-335. ↩︎
  6. Dawes, L., & Groom, K. M. (2015). Cervical cerclage. Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Reproductive Medicine, 25(11), 333-335. ↩︎
  7. Yanamandra, N., & Arulkumaran, S. (2006). Cervical cerclage. Current Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 16(5), 306-308. ↩︎
  8. Yanamandra, N., & Arulkumaran, S. (2006). Cervical cerclage. Current Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 16(5), 306-308. ↩︎
  9. Manzoor, U., Shahzad, U., Sharif, N., Bano, S., Farhat, R., & Zia, K. (2019). Cervical Cerclage; Significance of Cervical Cerclage. Professional Medical Journal, 26(5), 846-853. ↩︎

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