Pregnancy Outcome after Cerclage for Cervical Incompetence at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt

Abstract

Cervical incompetence is often associated with mid trimester pregnancy losses and preterm labour. cervical cerclage to prevent miscarriage and preterm labour is practiced world wide. The objective of this study was to document the feto-maternal outcome following cervical cerclage for cervical incompetence. The study reviewed all case files of pregnant women who had cervical cerclage for cervical incompetence between January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2008, at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. The study found an incidence of 0.17% of cervical incompetence among the antenatal population. Following cervical cerclage, miscarriage rate was 9.4%. Preterm delivery occurred in 21.8% while term pregnancy occurred in 68.8% of the women. There is improvement in pregnancy outcome after cervical cerclage for cervical incompetence hence we recommend the insertion for true cases of cervical incompetence.

(Afr J Reprod Health 2012; 16[3]: 180-184).