Background: The placement of a transabdominal cervical cerclage has be
en regarded as considerably more morbid than a transvaginal cerclage,
in part due to the need for two laparotomies. We describe a technique
for the laparoscopic placement and removal of a transabdominal cerclag
e. Cases: Two cases of women with insufficient cervical tissue to plac
e a transvaginal cerclage were managed with a transabdominal cerclage.
In one case, the cerclage was placed laparoscopically; in the other,
the band was removed, facilitating uterine evacuation following the di
agnosis of a missed abortion. In both cases a laparotomy was avoided.
Conclusion: Laparoscopic placement and removal of a transabdominal cer
clage are promising options in the treatment of an incompetent cervix.
(C) 1998 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.