Laparoscopic Abdominal Cerclage

Cervical insufficiency is a well-established cause of infant morbidity and mortality. Recommended treatment of cervical insufficiency includes a procedure in which a stitch, termed a cerclage, is placed around the cervix to keep it closed. Abdominal cerclage is the preferred approach for patients with refractory cervical insufficiency or anatomic limitations to vaginal cerclage placement. Laparoscopic abdominal cerclage has many benefits over an open approach and has been increasingly performed over the last 20 years due to surgeon skillset and improved neonatal survival compared with repeat vaginal cerclage. Laparoscopic abdominal cerclage is a highly effective, well-tolerated surgical treatment of selected patients.