Cervical cerclage--its role in the pregnant anomalous uterus

Twenty-nine cases of cervical incompetence were found among 98 women diagnosed as having a congenital uterine anomaly on hysterosalpingography, a high incidence of 30%. The highest incidence was found in the bicornuate uterus group--38%. The incidence of premature delivery and late abortion was higher in this group than in the rest of the patients with uterine anomalies (55% and 68%, vs. 45% and 32%). An obvious improvement in obstetrical performance was noted after cerclage. In the cervical incompetence group, term deliveries increased from 26% to 63%. Premature deliveries and late abortions dropped from 74% to 37%. Even in the patients with anomalous uterus without proven diagnosis of cervical incompetence, term deliveries increased from 64% to 96%, and pregnancies terminating prematurely dropped from 35.6% to 4%, following cerclage. No doubt exists as to the need for cerclage in cases of cervical incompetence. We also believe it should be performed prophylactically in cases of bicornuate uterus. The concept of routine prophylactic cerclage in all cases of uterine anomalies should be considered.