Cerclage

A procedure used to temporarily stitch the cervix closed in pregnant women with a history of premature delivery caused by an incompetent (insufficient) cervix. Cerclage sutures are usually placed at about 10 to 15 weeks’ gestation.

The most commonly utilized cerclage is the McDonald cerclage, shown here. Two other types of cerclage are:

• Shirodkar cerclage — placed submucosally (under the skin of the cervix), usually higher on the cervix and sometimes requiring bladder mobilization.
• Abdominal cerclage — placed around the lower part of the uterus through an abdominal incision, often used when a vaginal cerclage has failed or cannot be placed adequately.