This operation puts a suture/tape around the neck opening of the womb to reinforce/strengthen then opening.
Generally suitable time for procedure is between 12 and 24 weeks of pregnancy or interval procedure (not during pregnancy)
It is more common to put in through vagina(transvaginal)
It can also be done by an abdominal procedure (transabdominal)
For Transabdominal procedure, Laparoscopic approach is an option
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 many causes for early premature birth.
One possible cause is because cervix/neck of womb shortens and opens early.
A cervical 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)
Picture 1: model representation of uterus and neck of womb
Picture 2: model representation of suture placed from vaginal route ( from below insertion)
Picture 3: Model representation of suture placed from Laparoscopic method, at a higher level