A comparative study of two surgical management methods for cervical incompetence at University College Hospital, Ibadan

Abstract

Background
Incompetence of the internal uterine cervical os is associated with recurrent pregnancy loss. Different surgical techniques are in practice to correct the defect. Objective: The objective of this study therefore was to review the outcome of pregnancies following cervical using either of the two procedure among patients diagnosed as having incompetence of the cervix.

Methods
A comparative study of 2 standard methods of cerclage used in our hospital, McDonald & Shirodkar, in a group of 80 patients was done. All the patients had cervical cerclage insertion done between the 14th & 16th weeks of gestation using either of the two methods.

Results
There was no significant morbidity with either of the 2 methods. The overall success rates, as measured by continuation of the pregnancy to term, were smilar.

Conclusion
Both methods of cervical cerclage are equally effective in producing the desired outcome, but since the McDonald method is technically simpler to perform, it may be desirable to adopt this approach more frequently.