Conventionally, Cervical Cerclage is an operation that puts a suture/tape around the neck opening of the womb to reinforce/strengthen the opening. Generally suitable time for the procedure is between 12 and 24 weeks of pregnancy or interval procedure (not during pregnancy). It is more common to put in through vagina (trans-vaginal).
This can also be done by an abdominal procedure (trans-abdominal) – called Abdominal Cerclage. For Trans-abdominal procedure, Laparoscopic approach is an option.
The Laparoscopic or Minimal Invasive Approach has the advantage of placing the suture or tie higher up and with small incisions. Higher up tie may be beneficial for women with very short cervix or previous operations that reduces length of cervix significantly.
Why is it needed?
Babies born early or prematurely is called pre-term (before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy). Usually preterm babies tend to have higher risk of breathing and health problems. There are many causes for early premature birth. One possible cause is because cervix/neck of womb shortens and opens early. A cervical/abdominal suture may help to reduce this risk.
Some examples of which a patient may need to consider such procedure includes:
- Patient has a history of miscarriage after 16 weeks pregnancy
- Patient has a history of early birth before 34 weeks pregnancy
- Patient has history of her waters broke before 37 weeks in a previous pregnancy
- Patient who had procedures/operations done for cervix/neck of womb (example: cone biopsy/excision for treatment of an abnormal pap-smear, carcinoma in situ, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of cervix etc)
