Transabdominal cervicoisthmic cerclage: the Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital experience

Between 1985 and 1996, 17 transabdominal cervicoisthmic cerclage procedures were performed and followed up through 28 pregnancies at Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Fourteen procedures were carried out during pregnancy and three preconceptionally. Twenty-four pregnancies continued beyond 36 weeks of gestation and three were premature deliveries. The material used was an infant feeding tube size 6 and the knot was tied posteriorly. The sole miscarriage was at 6 weeks' gestation. All deliveries were by caesarean section. Fetal survival was 92%. In conclusion, abdominal cerclage is an effective and safe operation which helped the pattern of pregnancy wastage to be restored to normal in selected patients.