Emergency cerclage is a surgical procedure used in gynecology to prevent premature birth or pregnancy loss in women who have an incompetent cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. In some women, the cervix may start to open too early during pregnancy, which can lead to miscarriage or preterm birth. Emergency cerclage involves placing stitches in the cervix to keep it closed and support the pregnancy until the baby can be safely delivered.
Emergency cerclage is typically indicated when a woman presents with signs of cervical incompetence, such as:
- Cervical dilation and effacement before 24 weeks of gestation without contractions. - A history of second-trimester pregnancy losses associated with painless cervical dilation. - Evidence of a short cervix (
