CERVICAL
INCOMPETENCE
Dr Muhammad El Hennawy
Ob/gyn specialist
Rass el barr central hospital and
dumyat specialised hospital
Dumyatt – EGYPT
www.geocities.com/mmhennawy
Cervical incompetence(CI)
 It is premature painless diltation of
endocervical canal
in pregnancy
before onset of labour
Incidence
 It is estimated that cervical
incompetence will complicate
anywhere from 0.1% to 2% of all
pregnancies
 and is thought to be responsible for
approximately 15% of habitual
immature deliveries between 16 and
28 weeks of gestation
the etiology
 In most cases, the etiology is unknown
 Known causes include Congenital
weakness as Mullerian abnormalities
(cervical hypoplasia, in utero
diethylstilbestrol [DES] exposure),
traumatic abnormalities (prior surgical or
obstetric trauma), and connective tissue
abnormalities (Ehlers-Danlos syndrome).
Cervical Anatomy
 Embryologically, the body and cervix of the uterus are
derived from fusion and recanalization of the
paramesonephric (Mullerian) ducts, a process that is
complete by the 5th month of pregnancy.
 Histologically, the cervix consists of fibrous
connective tissue, muscle, and blood vessels.
Muscular connective tissue constitutes approximately
15% of the cervical stroma, but is not uniformly
distributed throughout the cervix, constituting
approximately 30%, 18%, and 7% of the upper, mid,
and lower thirds of the cervix, respectively (2).
 Conversely, the fibrous connective tissue content of
the cervical stroma increases as one moves from the
external os to the uterine corpus, and it this
component that is believed to confer tensile strength
to the cervix. Defects in tensile strength are thought
to lead to premature cervical dilatation and
pregnancy loss.
Despite many advances in
modern obstetrics ,there
remains much controversy
regarding the diagnosis and
treatment of cervical
incompetence
Diagnosis
 There is no precise method for diagnosing
CI
 Strongest evidence for diagnosis of CI is
lack of any other causes for reccurrent
pregnancy loss eg : chromosomal
abnormalities,infection,endocrine
disorders,immunologic disease)
With history of consistent with condition
. - Or + Pre-pregnancy physical findings
 Ultrasonography is useful as adjunct to
other diagnostic measures
history of consistent with condition
 Painless premature cervical diltation
during pregnancy and before onset
of labour
 a sudden unexpected rupture of the
membranes followed by painless
expulsion of the fetus
 Resulting in repeated mid trimester
spontaneous miscarriage or
premature delivery
- Or + Prepregnancy physical findings
 Ability to introduce a number 8 Hegar
dilator or equivalent through the
internal os when patient is not
pregnant.
 Hysterosalpingogram demonstrating
cervical funneling.
 Clinical evidence of extensive obstetric
or surgical trauma to cervix.
Ultrasonography is useful
before cerclage – length of cervical canal , width of isthmus ,
funneling of upper part of cervical canal with protrusion of
the membranes(when the cervical os (opening) is greater
than 2.5 cm, or the length has shortened to less than 20 mm.
Sometimes funneling is also seen )
After cerclage – determine exact site of cerclage,proximal
cervical canal segment length above cerclage ,distal cervical
canal segment length below cerclage,internal os diameter
,funneling if present , and protrusion of membranes)
Negative U/S can not exclude CI
Positive U/S in routine screen in pregnant women without
history of pregnancy loss are not necessary at risk
but close follow up is required
ttt
 REST
 CERCLAGE or encerclage.
The alternative to cerclage
 strict bed rest, sometimes in the
Trendelenburg position.
 However, when women with midtrimester
membrane prolapse are managed
expectantly, preterm prelabor rupture of
membranes occur in a great majority of
cases.
 These women rarely maintain the
pregnancy for an appreciable length of
time.
There's no guarantee
 that a cerclage will prevent a
pregnancy loss; however, in most
instances it will prolong the
pregnancy, often enabling a woman
to carry to term. You may be at risk
for incompetent cervix if you have
had a previous pregnancy loss in the
second trimester, if you have had
surgery on your cervix, or if you have
had multiple pregnancy terminations
Indications
 Suspected cervical incompetence remains the
only acceptable indication for cervical cerclage.
Indications can be classified as follows:
 (1) Prophylactic (elective) cervical cerclage
 (2) Asymptomatic women with sonographic
evidence of cervical shortening and/or funneling
may also benefit from cervical cerclage (often
called urgent cerclage)
 (3) Emergency (salvage) cervical cerclage
 Cerclage should be delayed until after 14 weeks
so that early miscarriage caused by other factors
is possible. There is no consensus about how late
in pregnancy
1- Prophylactic (elective) cervical
cerclage
 Decision to perform cerclage must be made individually for
each patient
 There's no guarantee that a cerclage will prevent a
pregnancy loss; however, in most instances it will prolong
the pregnancy, often enabling a woman to carry to term
 Once CI has been strongly suggested by combination of
history(asymptomatic women with a history of prior
pregnancy loss and/or preterm delivery due to cervical
incompetence)clinical and U/S suggested findings
 Prophylactic cervical cerclage may be placed because the
probability of recurrence in a subsequent pregnancy is 15-
30%
 It may be placed prior to pregnancy, but is more commonly
placed between 10 -16 weeks’ gestation.
 The stitch is usually removed around 37 weeks and labour
ensues fairly rapidly if the diagnosis was correct. Abdominal
cerclage requires an elective caesarean section and the
stitch is usually left in-situ for future pregnancies.
In order to avoid unnecessary
elective cerclage
 there is a growing tendency to delay
it until evidence of cervical changes
at ultrasound scan appears---- urgent
cervical cerclage.
2 - urgent cervical cerclage
 although the data in this regard is controversial.
There are several retrospective studies suggesting
that cervical cerclage in asymptomatic women
with short cervical length and/or funnelingon
endovaginal ultrasound may improve perinatal
outcome These studies reported an overall
reduction in the incidence of preterm delivery in
women identified as having a short cervix by
transvaginal sonography before 24 weeks’
gestation and subsequently treated with cerclage
to approximately 10% of controls. However, more
recent studies suggest that cerclage does not
prevent preterm delivery in women at high-risk for
preterm birth on the basis of cervical shortening
Moreover, one study showed a higher rate of
preterm PROM in women who received a cerclage
as compared with those without cerclage Further
studies are awaited to clarify this issue.
3- Emergency (salvage) cervical
cerclage
 refers to placement of a cerclage in the setting of
significant cervical dilatation and/or effacement
prior to 28 weeks’ gestation and in the absence
of labor.
 it is a surgical procedure without proven benefit
and with well-defined operative risks. As such,
until adequate clinical trials are available
demonstrating a clear benefit, emergency
cerclage should be used judiciously and only
after extensive and comprehensive patient
counseling.
 achieved fetal survival of 80% with cerclage at a
cervical dilatation of less than 5 cm, and 24%
when cervical dilatation was 5 cm or more
Emergency cervical cerclage
 Contraindications:
1
. Uterine contractions.
2
. Uterine bleeding
3
. Chorioamnionitis
4
. Premature rupture of membranes
5
. Fetal anomaly incompatible with life
Preoperative evaluation
 Cerclage should generally be delayed until
after 14weeks so that early abortions due to
other factors will be completed
 Obvious cervical infection should be treated,
 cultures for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and group
B streptococci are recommanded
 Sonography to confirm a living fetus and to
exclude major fetal anomalies
 For at least a week before and after surgery ,
there should be no sexual intercourse
 More advanced the pregnancy, the more
likely surgical intervention will stimulate
preterm labor or membrane rupture
Cerclage
Before
pregnancy
After
pregnancy
Trans-
vaginal
Trans-
Abdominal
Lash
Cervicoisthmic
Hefner
McDonald Shirodkar
Burried unburried shirodkar
Modified
shirodkar
Choice of cervical cerclage
 the decision of which technique to use can be left to
the discretion of the operator.Under certain
circumstances,
 however, one or other technique may be preferable
The most commonly employed techniques are
performed vaginally Shirodkar(itself and modified)
and McDonald cerclage ( burried and unburried )and
a transabdominal cervicoisthmic approach or Uterosacral
cardinal ligament cerclage is sometimes used For
example, if the cervix is very short or lacerated, a
Shirodkar cerclage may be technically easier to place
The transabdominal route is beneficial in treating
patients with cervices that are either extremely
short, congenitally deformed, deeply lacerated, or
markedly scarred because of previously failed
transvaginal cerclage procedures In cases where
there has been extensive cervical trauma or an
anatomical defect, this stitch can be used. It is
permanent and requires a cesarean delivery--- The
Lash cerclage.
The Lash cerclage
 is the only type that is placed prior to
pregnancy. In cases where there has been
extensive cervical trauma or an anatomical
defect, this stitch can be used. It is
permanent and requires a cesarean
delivery.
Shirodkar technique
 With the Shirodkar technique, the vaginal mucosa
membrane is elevated. A band of homologous
fascia or narrow band of some material such as
Mersilene is wrapped around the internal os and
tied. The vaginal mucosa is then restored to its
original position and sutured.
 The Shirodkar can be both permanent (requiring a
cesarean section) or it can be removed near term.
This stitch is started at a 12 o’clock position,
worked through the cervix to a 6 o’clock position,
ending back in the 12 o’clock position on the
other side of the cervix. It is also pulled tightly
and tied to keep the cervix closed. How the stitch
is tied off determines whether it will be removed
or if it is permanent.
Modified Shirodkar’s technique
 It is done under general anaesthesia. Cervix is
exposed and held with sponge holding forceps. A
transverse incision is taken over anterior lip of cervix
at junction of portiovaginalis and vaginal rugosity.
Bladder is separated and pushed off from area of
internal os. With the help of two large curved round
body needles ligature of black silk is passed starting
from the edge through substance of cervix and taken
out posteriorly, perpendicularly. Similar procedure is
repeated on other side. Knot is tied posteriorly in the
midline keeping it exterior. Anterior incision is
sutured by few interrupted sutures using an
absorbable material.
This procedure differs from Shirodkar’s encerclage as
the needle is not passed submucosally, but through
substance of the cervix and no incision is taken
posteriorly. The knot is kept exterior to facilitate
easy removal of suture.
McDonald technique
 a simpler procedure, a non-absorbable
suture in placed around the cervix high on
the cervical mucosa
 stitch is weaved in and out of the cervix
and pulled tightly and tied to keep the
cervix closed.
The Hefner cerclage
 when incompetent cervix is diagnosed
later in pregnancy. It has an added benefit
when there is little cervix to work with.
This cerclage is removed closer to term as
well.
also know as the Wurm procedure, is used
for later diagnosis of the incompetent
cervix. It is usually done with a U or
mattress suture, and is of benefit when
there is minimal amounts of cervix left.
Transabdominal cerclage
 is not frequently performed
 is only indicated for those patients with previous
failed cervical cerclages, shortened or amputated
cervix, and/or deep traumatized cervix
 The surgical technique -- caudal reflection of the
bladder, placement of an encircling A 5mm wide
mercilene tape medial to the uterine vessels in an
avascular space above the junction of the cervix
and the uterine isthmus without dissection or
tunneling among broad ligament vessels above the
cardinal and uterosacral ligaments , and tying of
the knot posteriorly.
 This prevents erosion of the knot into the base of
the bladder and allows for removal via posterior
colpotomy in an emergency situation.
 Most agree that removal of the suture should occur
after the woman has completed her family
Complication
While these procedures are life-saving, they also
have potential risks:
 Premature rupture of membranes (1-9%)
 Chorioamnionitis (Infection of the amniotic sac, 1-
7%) (This risk increases as the pregnancy
progresses and is at 30% for a cervix that is dilated
more than 3 cms.)
 Preterm Labor
 Cervical laceration or amputation (This can be at
the procedure or at the delivery, from scar tissue
that forms on the cervix.)
 Bladder Injury (rare)
 Maternal hemorrhage
 Cervical dystocia
 Uterine rupture
Thank you

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7042252.ppt

  • 1. CERVICAL INCOMPETENCE Dr Muhammad El Hennawy Ob/gyn specialist Rass el barr central hospital and dumyat specialised hospital Dumyatt – EGYPT www.geocities.com/mmhennawy
  • 2. Cervical incompetence(CI)  It is premature painless diltation of endocervical canal in pregnancy before onset of labour
  • 3. Incidence  It is estimated that cervical incompetence will complicate anywhere from 0.1% to 2% of all pregnancies  and is thought to be responsible for approximately 15% of habitual immature deliveries between 16 and 28 weeks of gestation
  • 4. the etiology  In most cases, the etiology is unknown  Known causes include Congenital weakness as Mullerian abnormalities (cervical hypoplasia, in utero diethylstilbestrol [DES] exposure), traumatic abnormalities (prior surgical or obstetric trauma), and connective tissue abnormalities (Ehlers-Danlos syndrome).
  • 5. Cervical Anatomy  Embryologically, the body and cervix of the uterus are derived from fusion and recanalization of the paramesonephric (Mullerian) ducts, a process that is complete by the 5th month of pregnancy.  Histologically, the cervix consists of fibrous connective tissue, muscle, and blood vessels. Muscular connective tissue constitutes approximately 15% of the cervical stroma, but is not uniformly distributed throughout the cervix, constituting approximately 30%, 18%, and 7% of the upper, mid, and lower thirds of the cervix, respectively (2).  Conversely, the fibrous connective tissue content of the cervical stroma increases as one moves from the external os to the uterine corpus, and it this component that is believed to confer tensile strength to the cervix. Defects in tensile strength are thought to lead to premature cervical dilatation and pregnancy loss.
  • 6. Despite many advances in modern obstetrics ,there remains much controversy regarding the diagnosis and treatment of cervical incompetence
  • 7. Diagnosis  There is no precise method for diagnosing CI  Strongest evidence for diagnosis of CI is lack of any other causes for reccurrent pregnancy loss eg : chromosomal abnormalities,infection,endocrine disorders,immunologic disease) With history of consistent with condition . - Or + Pre-pregnancy physical findings  Ultrasonography is useful as adjunct to other diagnostic measures
  • 8. history of consistent with condition  Painless premature cervical diltation during pregnancy and before onset of labour  a sudden unexpected rupture of the membranes followed by painless expulsion of the fetus  Resulting in repeated mid trimester spontaneous miscarriage or premature delivery
  • 9. - Or + Prepregnancy physical findings  Ability to introduce a number 8 Hegar dilator or equivalent through the internal os when patient is not pregnant.  Hysterosalpingogram demonstrating cervical funneling.  Clinical evidence of extensive obstetric or surgical trauma to cervix.
  • 10. Ultrasonography is useful before cerclage – length of cervical canal , width of isthmus , funneling of upper part of cervical canal with protrusion of the membranes(when the cervical os (opening) is greater than 2.5 cm, or the length has shortened to less than 20 mm. Sometimes funneling is also seen ) After cerclage – determine exact site of cerclage,proximal cervical canal segment length above cerclage ,distal cervical canal segment length below cerclage,internal os diameter ,funneling if present , and protrusion of membranes) Negative U/S can not exclude CI Positive U/S in routine screen in pregnant women without history of pregnancy loss are not necessary at risk but close follow up is required
  • 11. ttt  REST  CERCLAGE or encerclage.
  • 12. The alternative to cerclage  strict bed rest, sometimes in the Trendelenburg position.  However, when women with midtrimester membrane prolapse are managed expectantly, preterm prelabor rupture of membranes occur in a great majority of cases.  These women rarely maintain the pregnancy for an appreciable length of time.
  • 13. There's no guarantee  that a cerclage will prevent a pregnancy loss; however, in most instances it will prolong the pregnancy, often enabling a woman to carry to term. You may be at risk for incompetent cervix if you have had a previous pregnancy loss in the second trimester, if you have had surgery on your cervix, or if you have had multiple pregnancy terminations
  • 14. Indications  Suspected cervical incompetence remains the only acceptable indication for cervical cerclage. Indications can be classified as follows:  (1) Prophylactic (elective) cervical cerclage  (2) Asymptomatic women with sonographic evidence of cervical shortening and/or funneling may also benefit from cervical cerclage (often called urgent cerclage)  (3) Emergency (salvage) cervical cerclage  Cerclage should be delayed until after 14 weeks so that early miscarriage caused by other factors is possible. There is no consensus about how late in pregnancy
  • 15. 1- Prophylactic (elective) cervical cerclage  Decision to perform cerclage must be made individually for each patient  There's no guarantee that a cerclage will prevent a pregnancy loss; however, in most instances it will prolong the pregnancy, often enabling a woman to carry to term  Once CI has been strongly suggested by combination of history(asymptomatic women with a history of prior pregnancy loss and/or preterm delivery due to cervical incompetence)clinical and U/S suggested findings  Prophylactic cervical cerclage may be placed because the probability of recurrence in a subsequent pregnancy is 15- 30%  It may be placed prior to pregnancy, but is more commonly placed between 10 -16 weeks’ gestation.  The stitch is usually removed around 37 weeks and labour ensues fairly rapidly if the diagnosis was correct. Abdominal cerclage requires an elective caesarean section and the stitch is usually left in-situ for future pregnancies.
  • 16. In order to avoid unnecessary elective cerclage  there is a growing tendency to delay it until evidence of cervical changes at ultrasound scan appears---- urgent cervical cerclage.
  • 17. 2 - urgent cervical cerclage  although the data in this regard is controversial. There are several retrospective studies suggesting that cervical cerclage in asymptomatic women with short cervical length and/or funnelingon endovaginal ultrasound may improve perinatal outcome These studies reported an overall reduction in the incidence of preterm delivery in women identified as having a short cervix by transvaginal sonography before 24 weeks’ gestation and subsequently treated with cerclage to approximately 10% of controls. However, more recent studies suggest that cerclage does not prevent preterm delivery in women at high-risk for preterm birth on the basis of cervical shortening Moreover, one study showed a higher rate of preterm PROM in women who received a cerclage as compared with those without cerclage Further studies are awaited to clarify this issue.
  • 18. 3- Emergency (salvage) cervical cerclage  refers to placement of a cerclage in the setting of significant cervical dilatation and/or effacement prior to 28 weeks’ gestation and in the absence of labor.  it is a surgical procedure without proven benefit and with well-defined operative risks. As such, until adequate clinical trials are available demonstrating a clear benefit, emergency cerclage should be used judiciously and only after extensive and comprehensive patient counseling.  achieved fetal survival of 80% with cerclage at a cervical dilatation of less than 5 cm, and 24% when cervical dilatation was 5 cm or more
  • 19. Emergency cervical cerclage  Contraindications: 1 . Uterine contractions. 2 . Uterine bleeding 3 . Chorioamnionitis 4 . Premature rupture of membranes 5 . Fetal anomaly incompatible with life
  • 20. Preoperative evaluation  Cerclage should generally be delayed until after 14weeks so that early abortions due to other factors will be completed  Obvious cervical infection should be treated,  cultures for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and group B streptococci are recommanded  Sonography to confirm a living fetus and to exclude major fetal anomalies  For at least a week before and after surgery , there should be no sexual intercourse  More advanced the pregnancy, the more likely surgical intervention will stimulate preterm labor or membrane rupture
  • 22. Choice of cervical cerclage  the decision of which technique to use can be left to the discretion of the operator.Under certain circumstances,  however, one or other technique may be preferable The most commonly employed techniques are performed vaginally Shirodkar(itself and modified) and McDonald cerclage ( burried and unburried )and a transabdominal cervicoisthmic approach or Uterosacral cardinal ligament cerclage is sometimes used For example, if the cervix is very short or lacerated, a Shirodkar cerclage may be technically easier to place The transabdominal route is beneficial in treating patients with cervices that are either extremely short, congenitally deformed, deeply lacerated, or markedly scarred because of previously failed transvaginal cerclage procedures In cases where there has been extensive cervical trauma or an anatomical defect, this stitch can be used. It is permanent and requires a cesarean delivery--- The Lash cerclage.
  • 23. The Lash cerclage  is the only type that is placed prior to pregnancy. In cases where there has been extensive cervical trauma or an anatomical defect, this stitch can be used. It is permanent and requires a cesarean delivery.
  • 24. Shirodkar technique  With the Shirodkar technique, the vaginal mucosa membrane is elevated. A band of homologous fascia or narrow band of some material such as Mersilene is wrapped around the internal os and tied. The vaginal mucosa is then restored to its original position and sutured.  The Shirodkar can be both permanent (requiring a cesarean section) or it can be removed near term. This stitch is started at a 12 o’clock position, worked through the cervix to a 6 o’clock position, ending back in the 12 o’clock position on the other side of the cervix. It is also pulled tightly and tied to keep the cervix closed. How the stitch is tied off determines whether it will be removed or if it is permanent.
  • 25. Modified Shirodkar’s technique  It is done under general anaesthesia. Cervix is exposed and held with sponge holding forceps. A transverse incision is taken over anterior lip of cervix at junction of portiovaginalis and vaginal rugosity. Bladder is separated and pushed off from area of internal os. With the help of two large curved round body needles ligature of black silk is passed starting from the edge through substance of cervix and taken out posteriorly, perpendicularly. Similar procedure is repeated on other side. Knot is tied posteriorly in the midline keeping it exterior. Anterior incision is sutured by few interrupted sutures using an absorbable material. This procedure differs from Shirodkar’s encerclage as the needle is not passed submucosally, but through substance of the cervix and no incision is taken posteriorly. The knot is kept exterior to facilitate easy removal of suture.
  • 26. McDonald technique  a simpler procedure, a non-absorbable suture in placed around the cervix high on the cervical mucosa  stitch is weaved in and out of the cervix and pulled tightly and tied to keep the cervix closed.
  • 27. The Hefner cerclage  when incompetent cervix is diagnosed later in pregnancy. It has an added benefit when there is little cervix to work with. This cerclage is removed closer to term as well. also know as the Wurm procedure, is used for later diagnosis of the incompetent cervix. It is usually done with a U or mattress suture, and is of benefit when there is minimal amounts of cervix left.
  • 28. Transabdominal cerclage  is not frequently performed  is only indicated for those patients with previous failed cervical cerclages, shortened or amputated cervix, and/or deep traumatized cervix  The surgical technique -- caudal reflection of the bladder, placement of an encircling A 5mm wide mercilene tape medial to the uterine vessels in an avascular space above the junction of the cervix and the uterine isthmus without dissection or tunneling among broad ligament vessels above the cardinal and uterosacral ligaments , and tying of the knot posteriorly.  This prevents erosion of the knot into the base of the bladder and allows for removal via posterior colpotomy in an emergency situation.  Most agree that removal of the suture should occur after the woman has completed her family
  • 29. Complication While these procedures are life-saving, they also have potential risks:  Premature rupture of membranes (1-9%)  Chorioamnionitis (Infection of the amniotic sac, 1- 7%) (This risk increases as the pregnancy progresses and is at 30% for a cervix that is dilated more than 3 cms.)  Preterm Labor  Cervical laceration or amputation (This can be at the procedure or at the delivery, from scar tissue that forms on the cervix.)  Bladder Injury (rare)  Maternal hemorrhage  Cervical dystocia  Uterine rupture