Does cervical cerclage prevent preterm delivery in patients with a short cervix?

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether cerclage placement in women with a short cervix on transvaginal ultrasonography reduces the rate of pr eterm delivery. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study identified patients with an ultr asonographic short cervix (cervical length less than or equal to 15 mm) bet ween 14 and 24 weeks' gestation. Cerclage placement was performed at the di scretion of the attending physician. Clinical characteristics and outcome w ith and without cerclage were compared. RESULTS: Seventy patients met inclusion criteria; 25 (36%) underwent cercla ge placement. Patients managed with cerclage had a lower gestational age at diagnosis (19.6 weeks vs 21.3 weeks, P < .01) but had a similar median cer vical length, presence of funneling, and a history of cervical surgery, in comparison with those managed without cerclage. The rate of spontaneous pre term delivery was not different between groups. Patients with cerclage had a higher rate of preterm premature rupture of membranes than those without cerclage (65.2% vs 36.4%, P < .05). CONCLUSION: Cervical cerclage in patients with a short cervix did not reduc e the rate of spontaneous preterm delivery and increased the risk of preter m premature rupture of membranes.