Preconceptional laparoscopic abdominal cerclage: a multicenter cohort study.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of laparoscopic abdominal cerclage placement in the prevention of recurrent preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN We conducted a multicenter cohort study with retrospective Dutch (32 patients) and Boston (34 patients) cohorts who had undergone preconceptional laparoscopic abdominal cerclage placement. Eligible patients had at least 1 second/third trimester fetal loss or delivered at <34 weeks of gestation because of cervical insufficiency and/or a short or absent cervix. Primary outcome was delivery of an infant at ≥ 34 weeks of gestation with neonatal survival. Secondary outcome measures included surgical and pregnancy outcomes and patients' satisfaction (Dutch cohort). RESULTS Surgical outcomes of 66 patients were excellent, with 3 minor complications. After preconceptional laparoscopic abdominal cerclage, 35 pregnancies were evaluated. Twenty-five patients (71.4%) delivered at ≥ 34 weeks of gestation; 3 patients (8.6%) experienced a second-trimester fetal loss. The total fetal survival rate was 90.0%. CONCLUSION Preconceptional laparoscopic abdominal cerclage shows encouraging and favorable perinatal outcomes in patients with a poor obstetric history.