Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2012 Nov;25(11):2287-90.
doi: 10.3109/14767058.2012.688081. Epub 2012 May 14.

Suture type and ultrasound-indicated cerclage efficacy

Vincenzo Berghella  1 , Jeff M Szychowski, John Owen, Gary Hankins, Jay D Iams, Jeanne S Sheffield, Annette Perez-Delboy, Deborah A Wing, Edwin R Guzman; Vaginal Ultrasound Trial Consortium
Collaborators, Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Suture type and ultrasound-indicated cerclage efficacy

Vincenzo Berghella et al. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2012 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: To assess whether type of suture material affects cerclage efficacy for preterm birth (PTB) prevention.

Methods: Secondary analysis of a multicenter trial of ultrasound-indicated cerclage for short cervical length (CL), in which women with prior spontaneous PTB at 16-33 6/7 weeks, a singleton gestation and CL < 25 mm between 16-22 6/7 weeks, were randomized to McDonald cerclage or no cerclage. Outcomes of women who underwent cerclage were analyzed by type of suture material, comparing polyester braided thread (Mersilene™ or Ethibond™) to Mersilene tape™. Primary outcome was PTB < 35 weeks.

Results: 138 women underwent McDonald cerclage: 84 (61%) received polyester braided thread and 46 (33%) Mersilene tape™. Eight (6%) received monofilament suture and were excluded from analysis. Rates of PTB < 35 weeks were similar, 35% for polyester braided thread vs 24% for Mersilene tape™ (p = .24). Birth gestational age was also similar among the 2 groups (p = .18).

Conclusion: Type of suture material may not affect ultrasound-indicated cerclage efficacy in high-risk women with short CL, but further study is needed. Polyester braided thread (Mersilene™ or Ethibond™) and polyester braided Mersilene tape™ seem to have similar efficacy.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure of interest: None to declare

References

    1. Shirodkar VN. A new method of operative treatment for habitual abortions in the second trimester of pregnancy. Antiseptic. 1955;52:299–300.
    1. McDonald IA. Suture of the cervix for inevitable miscarriage. J Obstet Gynecol. 1957;64:346–350. - PubMed
    1. Shortle B, Jewelewicz R. Clinical aspects of cervical incompetence. Chicago: Yearbook Medical Publishers; 1989.
    1. Berghella V, Rafael TJ, Szychowski JM, Orion AR, Owen J. Cerclage for Short Cervix on Ultrasound in Singleton Gestations with Prior Preterm Birth: Meta-analysis of Trials. Obstet Gynecol. 2011;117:663–671. - PubMed
    1. Pereira L, Levy C, Lewis D, Broth R, Rust O, Berghella V. Effect of suture material on the outcome of emergent cerclage. Obstet Gynecol. 2004;103:s35.

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources