Management of cervical cerclage at term: remove the suture in labor?

Objective: To assess the risks and benefits to patients who carry to term after undergoing a Shirodkar cerclage where the cerclage is not removed until the patient presents in labor. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted examining all patients who underwent a Shirodkar cerclage employing a 5 mm Mersilene band. All the cerclages were placed by a single operator over a twenty five year span, from 1/01/74 till 10/01/98. Only patients who delivered vaginally or were allowed a trial of labor were included. In all cases, the cerclage was removed under regional anesthesia after the patient presented to the hospital in labor. Results: Ninety six cerclage procedures were performed over that period. Eighty two pregnancies qualifled for review. Sixty two patients delivered vaginally (76%). Nine cesareans were indicated for failure to progress in labor (11%) with cervical dystocia possibly implicated in one. There were no cases of ruptured uteri or the development of uterine windows. Of the 82 pregnancies there were five cases (6%) of minor cervical laceration. Conclusion: Allowing patients to proceed to labor with a Shirodkar cerclage in place, does not increase the risks of cervical dystocia, cervical laceration, or uterine rupture above the reported incidence for these complications in patients in whom the cerclage is removed prophylactically.