The effect of cervical cerclage on pregnancy outcomes in women following conization

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the effect of cervical cerclage on obstetrical complications and perinatal outcomes of patients following conization.

Design: A retrospective population based cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary academic medical center that covers all the deliveries of the region.

Population: All patients with previous cervical conization who delivered between the years 1994-2011.

Methods: A retrospective population based study.

Main outcome measures: The effect of cerclage placement on the rate of preterm birth.

Results: During the study period there were 109 deliveries of patients following a cervical conization. Cervical cerclage was placed in 22 deliveries that served as the study group and the rest (n = 87) served as the comparison group. The rate of early preterm delivery (PTD; <34 weeks) was significantly higher in women who had a cerclage. In a logistic regression model, cerclage was found to be an independent risk factor for early PTD.

Conclusion: Cerclage is an independent risk factor for early PTD In patients who had a conization due to CIN.

Keywords: Cervical cerclage; cervical intraepithelial neoplasia; conization; early preterm birth.