Cervical insufficiency : role of cerclage and changes in fetal membranes

Cervical insufficiency is one of the main causes leading to fetal losses and preterm birth. The standard treatment of cervical insufficiency is the transvaginal cerclage or, in some cases, the transabdominal cerclage (TAC). The success rate of TAC is very high. The hypothesis of the research project aimed at a better understanding of the positive value of TAC with a special focus on the fetal membranes. The project showed thickness changes in membranes with other special features in the genes expression, proteins localization and senescence. These changes could explain the success rate of TAC. A better understanding of these changes could be useful for further research in attempting a better knowledge of the mechanisms of the preterm birth and preterm premature rupture of membranes. Further research is needed to find new potential therapeutic approaches. The main objective is to reduce the prematurity.
(MED - Sciences médicales) -- UCL, 2021