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Updated: Aug 10, 2026
External Cephalic Version: Is it an Effective and Safe Procedure?
Published on: June 6, 2020
Management of cervical incompetence in Aba, south-eastern Nigeria
P A Feyi-Waboso1, C C Umezurike
1Women's Hospital, Aba, Nigeria.
Background:
There have been relatively few reports on the outcome of cervical cerclage performed in non-tertiary centres. The aim of this study was to determine the pregnancy complications and outcome in patients following cervical cerclage.
Methods:
Seventy-one patients who had 103 pregnancies and underwent cervical cerclage at Women's Hospital, Aba over a ten-year period were reviewed. The diagnosis of cervical incompetence was made from the history in 90.6% of cases and also in some cases by hysterosalpingography and ultrasonography.
Results:
The Shirodkar (65%) and McDonald (35%) techniques were employed and 10.7% of cases were done as emergency procedures. The more common post-insertion complications were urinary tract infection (50.4%), preterm rupture of membranes (20.4%) and vulvovaginitis (14.6%). Common labour associated complications were antepartum haemorrhage, perineal/cervical tears and malpresentations. The preterm birth rate was 32%. Term births accounted for 68% of the deliveries. The overall fetal salvage rate was 92.2%. Antepartum haemorrhge was a significant indication for caesarean section delivery. The perinatal mortality was 63.2 per 1000 and there was no maternal death.
Conclusion:
The high fetal salvage rate of 92.2% justifies the procedure of cervical cerclage.
