1. Transabdominal cerclage (TAC) for patients with ultra-short uterine cervix after uterine cervix surgery and its impact on pregnancy
- Author
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Shinichi Ishioka, Miyuki Morishita, Saori Kon, Tsuyoshi Saito, Miseon Kim, Yuko Mizugaki, Tsuyoshi Baba, Takao Sekiya, Masahito Mizuuchi, and Kyoko Isoyama
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Pregnancy ,030219 obstetrics & reproductive medicine ,Obstetrics ,business.industry ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Obstetrics and Gynecology ,Retrospective cohort study ,Trachelectomy ,medicine.disease ,Surgery ,Abdominal wall ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Uterine cervix ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Laparotomy ,medicine ,Cervical cerclage ,Incompetent cervix ,business - Abstract
Aim Patients with an ultra-short uterine cervix as a result of large conization, repeated conization or radical trachelectomy (RT), are at high risk of preterm premature rupture of the membrane, which leads to preterm birth. We have commenced performing transabdominal cerclage (TAC) of the uterine cervix for these patients. In this study, we examined the safety of TAC and its impact on pregnancy. Methods We have performed TAC in 11 patients before pregnancy: in six after large cervical operations, such as repeated conization; and in five for difficulties with cervical cerclage after RT. After laparotomy, a Teflon thread was placed in the avascular space between the uterine vessels and the uterine muscle, and tied. The clinical course of the patients after TAC and their pregnancy course were retrospectively reviewed. Results TAC was performed safely without any complications. The mean operative duration was 53 ± 10 min, and the mean blood loss during the operation was 49 ± 64 mL. Seven women conceived within 2 years after TAC. Their pregnancy courses were favorable. Five of the women underwent scheduled cesarean sections, while two pregnancies are ongoing. Conclusions Although there are risks of various complications as a result of the use of non-absorbable thread and the need for two extra laparotomies, TAC can be a safe and useful option for patients who show cervical incompetence after large uterine cervical operations, such as RT or large conization.
- Published
- 2017