OUTPATIENT VERSUS INPATIENT CERVICAL CERCLAGE

The outcomes in 125 cases of elective, outpatient cerclage placement w ere compared to those in 101 cases of elective, inpatient cerclage pla cement with the same technique at the same institution. There was no d ifference between the two groups in the rates of early and late compli cations or in the effect of the procedure on the duration of gestation . As expected, a statistically significantly shorter hospital stay occ urred in the outpatient group. The outpatient procedure is as effectiv e as the inpatient one, with no increased risk of early and late compl ications, and offers patients a shorter absence from home, thus possib ly decreasing their anxiety, and considerable financial savings.