Complications of cerclage

TLDR

Published reports of cervical cerclage show consistently favorable outcomes, yet complications are rarely reported. This study examines the implications and potential causes of the unexpectedly high complication rate. The authors reviewed 52 pregnancies (38 prophylactic and 14 therapeutic cerclages), of which 40 % ended after 260 days’ gestation. Seventy‑three percent of cases delivered viable infants, but the most common complications were premature rupture of membranes (12 cases), suture slippage (7), premature delivery (6), and frequent intra‑uterine infection.

Abstract

The published results of cervical cerclage are almost invariably good and there is little mention of complications. Forty per cent of 52 pregnancies, with 38 early "prophylactic" and 14 late "therapeutic" operations, ended after 260 days' gestation. In 73 per cent a viable infant was born. The most frequent complication was premature rupture of the membranes (12 cases) followed by slipping suture (7) and premature delivery (6). Intra-uterine infection was fairly common. The implications and possible causes of this high rate of complications are discussed.