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Updated: Aug 29, 2026
Laparoscopic Non-Mesh Cerclage Pectopexy for Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Published on: September 13, 2022
Effectiveness of cervical cerclage for a sonographically shortened cervix: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Timea Belej-Rak1, Nan Okun, Rory Windrim
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Center, Mount Sinai Hospital, 600 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of cerclage for a shortened cervix on transvaginal ultrasound scanning in terms of the rates of preterm delivery and adverse neonatal and maternal outcomes.
Study Design:
Pre-MEDLINE and MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched for human studies that compared cerclage placement to no cerclage on the basis of transvaginal ultrasound findings of a short cervix (< or =2.5 cm). Two authors independently determined eligibility and abstracted data. Meta-analyses were conducted when possible.
Results:
Thirty-five studies were reviewed; 6 studies were eligible and were included in the analysis. There was no statistically significant effect of cerclage on the rates of preterm delivery (<37, <34, <32, and <28 weeks of gestation), preterm labor, neonatal mortality or morbidity, gestational age at delivery, or time to delivery. Birth weight was significantly higher with than without cerclage (P=.004).
Conclusion:
The available evidence does not support cerclage for a sonographically detected short cervix. A randomized controlled trial is needed to determine whether this intervention will reduce adverse neonatal outcomes.
