Cerclage prevents ascending intrauterine infection in pregnant mice.

Background: The treatment for cervical insufficiency is cerclage surgery. Although cerclage is a common therapy for prevention of preterm birth, there is no consensus about its mechanism of efficacy. Previous investigators have hypothesized that cerclage prevents preterm birth by improving the cervical barrier to ascending infection.

Measurement of cervical softness before cerclage placement with an aspiration-based device.

Background: An abnormally soft cervix could contribute to the pathophysiology of cervical shortening and cervical insufficiency. Multiple techniques to measure cervical softness have been developed but none are used routinely in clinical practice. A clinically acceptable technique to measure cervical softness could improve identification of patients at risk for cervix-related preterm birth.

Prevention of preterm birth: Novel interventions for the cervix.

Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Spontaneous preterm birth is a complex, multifactorial condition in which cervical dysfunction plays an important role in some women. Current treatment options for cervical dysfunction include cerclage and supplemental progesterone.