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Cervical cerclage in twin pregnancies: obstetric and neonatal outcomes

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Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Although there have been significant improvements in prenatal and neonatal care in recent years, twin pregnancies account for 17–20% of all preterm births and are associated with an increased risk of perinatal mortality and morbidity.

Aims

To evaluate the contribution of cerclage to the continuation of pregnancy in twin pregnancy cases required cervical cerclage.

Methods

Cases of twin pregnancies who performed cervical cerclage with follow-up and deliveries between January 2010 and January 2022 in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ege University Faculty of Medicine Hospital, were retrospectively analyzed. Obstetric and neonatal outcomes were evaluated.

Results

A total of 23 women who performed cervical cerclage due to cervical insufficiency in twin pregnancies were evaluated retrospectively. The mean time between cerclage placement and delivery was 12.1 ± 7 weeks, maximum prolongation was in the obstetric history-indicated cerclage group. The gestational age at delivery was 20–38 (median 30) weeks. The rate of spontaneous preterm birth at < 34, < 32, < 28, and < 24 weeks was higher in the physical examination-indicated cerclage group. Overall neonatal survival was 82.5% (n = 33/40).

Conclusion

The time between cerclage placement and birth were considered as an important gain for twin pregnancies at the limit of viability. Further studies are needed to better understand the role of cervical cerclage in preventing premature birth and to determine the indications for cerclage.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ege University School of Medicine, 35100, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey

    Huseyin Ekici, Firat Okmen, Didem Gul Saritas, Gultap Khaligli & Ahmet Mete Ergenoglu

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  1. Huseyin Ekici
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  2. Firat Okmen
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  3. Didem Gul Saritas
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  4. Gultap Khaligli
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  5. Ahmet Mete Ergenoglu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Huseyin Ekici.

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Ethical approval

Before the beginning of the study, the necessary approval was received from the local ethics committee of our hospital.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Ekici, H., Okmen, F., Saritas, D.G. et al. Cervical cerclage in twin pregnancies: obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Ir J Med Sci 192, 1751–1755 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-022-03164-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-022-03164-x

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