Cerclage in complete placenta previa preventing preterm labor: A rare case report

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

• Placenta previa is a significant cause of antepartum hemorrhage.
• Cervical incompetence can contribute to bleeding in placenta previa, particularly with cervical dilation.
• Cervical cerclage is a treatment for cervical incompetence, but its use in placenta previa is not well-established.

Observation:

• A 30-year-old woman with complete placenta previa experienced antepartum hemorrhage at 21 weeks gestation due to cervical dilation.
• An emergency McDonald cerclage procedure was performed to address the cervical dilation.
• The pregnancy was successfully prolonged to 34 weeks gestation following the cerclage.

Findings:

• The emergency cerclage effectively controlled bleeding and prevented further cervical dilation.
• The pregnancy was extended by 13 weeks, allowing for fetal maturation.
• A healthy baby girl was delivered via cesarean section with good Apgar scores.

Implications:

• This case suggests that emergency cerclage may be a viable option for managing antepartum hemorrhage secondary to cervical dilation in complete placenta previa.
• The procedure can lead to improved obstetrical outcomes, including prolonged gestation and healthy fetal delivery.
• Further research is warranted to establish the safety and efficacy of cervical cerclage in patients with placenta previa.