Cervical cerclage for prevention of preterm birth: A commentary

Cervical cerclage remains a proven method for the prevention of preterm birth caused by a ‘weak cervix’. However, there is controversy as regards the precise diagnosis and definition of ‘cervical incompetence’, the actual surgical technique, choice of suture material and number of sutures and ties to be made during the procedure. There is now emerging evidence that other alternatives to cervical cerclage such as the cervical pessary and progesterone therapy may have a role in the prevention of preterm birth. These could eliminate the exposure of patients to risks associated with surgical interventions. This short commentary presents an update on the role of cervical cerclage in the prevention of preterm birth and explores the available evidence on the alternatives to the procedure.