Shirodkar versus McDonald cerclage for the prevention of preterm birth in women with short cervical length.

The efficacy of Shirodkar cerclage was compared with that of the McDonald procedure for the prevention of preterm birth (PTB) in women with a short cervix. Secondary analysis using data from all published randomized trials including women with a short cervical length (CL) was performed comparing the use of Shirodkar versus McDonald sutures. Analysis was limited to singletons with short CL on transvaginal ultrasound.

Maternal characteristics and cervical length in the prediction of spontaneous early preterm delivery in twins.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the value of combining maternal characteristics and measurement of cervical length at 22 to 24 weeks in the prediction of spontaneous early preterm delivery.

Study Design: Cervical length was measured by transvaginal sonography at 22 to 24 weeks in 1163 twin pregnancies attending for routine antenatal care. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the effect of maternal demographic characteristics and cervical length on the risk of spontaneous early preterm delivery.

Cerclage for short cervix on ultrasonography: meta-analysis of trials using individual patient-level data.

Objective: Preterm birth is the main cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. A short cervical length on transvaginal ultrasonography predicts preterm birth. Our aim was to estimate by meta-analysis of randomized trials whether cerclage prevents preterm birth in women with a short cervical length.

Cervical cerclage for prevention of preterm delivery in women with short cervix: randomised controlled trial.

Background: Cervical cerclage has been widely used in the past 50 years to prevent early preterm birth and its associated neonatal mortality and morbidity. Results of randomised trials have not generally lent support to this practice, but this absence of benefit may be due to suboptimum patient selection, which was essentially based on obstetric history. A more effective way of identifying the high-risk group for early preterm delivery might be by transvaginal sonographic measurement of cervical length.