Laparoscopic transabdominal cerclage: Outcomes of 121 pregnancies.

BACKGROUND: Cervical insufficiency is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Cervical cerclage is one option in the management of cervical insufficiency.

AIM: To evaluate obstetric outcomes following insertion of a pre-pregnancy laparoscopic transabdominal cerclage in women at high risk for pre-term labour and/or mid-trimester pregnancy loss.

METHODS: A prospective observational study of consecutive women who underwent laparoscopic transabdominal cerclage from 2007 to 2017. Eligible women had a diagnosis of cervical insufficiency based on previous obstetric history and/or a short or absent cervix and were considered not suitable for a transvaginal cerclage. The primary outcome was neonatal survival and the secondary outcome was delivery of an infant at ≥34 weeks gestation. Surgical morbidity and complications were also evaluated.

RESULTS: During the study period, 225 women underwent laparoscopic transabdominal cerclage. We present the outcomes of 121 pregnancies resulting in 125 babies. The perinatal survival rate of viable pregnancies was 98.5% with a mean gestational age at delivery of 35.2 weeks; 79.7% of babies were delivered at ≥34.0 weeks gestation.

CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic transabdominal cerclage is a safe and effective procedure resulting in favourable obstetric outcomes in women with a poor obstetric history. For optimal success the procedure requires the correct surgical expertise, equipment and appropriate patient selection.