Emergency cervical cerclage: effect on pregnancy outcome and mode of delivery

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of emergency cervical cerclage (ECC) and its effect on the mode of delivery. Patients and methods: Between April 2007 and July 2011 patients attending MH Diyarbakir Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital and MH Seferihisar State Necat Hepkon Hospital who underwent ECC were included in this retrospective analysis. Results: At the time of ECC, the mean gestational age, cervical length and cervical dilatation were 21.4 +/- 2.2 weeks, 4.3 +/- 0.8 cm and 11 +/- 2.4 mm, respectively. The average time between the procedure and birth was 13.8 +/- 4.9 weeks and this period was sufficient to maintain a viable pregnancy (p < 0.05). In this study, 12 patients (60%) were delivered vaginally and eight (40%) patients delivered with CS (40%). the difference was statistically insignificant (p = 0.371). Regarding the gestational age at time of delivery, 55% of patients delivered at 36 weeks, 70% at 32 weeks, and 80% of them delivered at 28 weeks. The total live birth rate was 90%. Conclusion: ECC provides satisfactory time for the fetus to gain sufficient viability. Pregnancies with emergency cerclage show no difference in terms of birth method, whether cesarean or vaginal birth, and delivery type does not appears to be linked to ECC.