Emergency Cervical Cerclage Using Shirodkar Method

Lim, Myong Cheol; Kim, So Ra; Huh, Chu Yeop

Abstract

Cervical incompetence is characterized by painless dilation and effacement of the cervix in the second trimester of pregnancy leading to premature rupture of membranes and preterm delivery. Various surgical and nonsurgical approaches have been advocated as treatment for incompetent cervix. The most widely used surgical methods are the Shirodkar and McDonald methods of cervical cerclage. Shirodkar method is more difficult to perform than the McDonald method, but it makes it possible for the cervix to return to more anatomically safe position. We experienced two cases of mild amniotic membrane bulging associated with incompetent cervix; one during 28(+4) weeks of pregnancy and the other during 25(+6) weeks of pregnancy. We were able to perform the emergency cervical cerclage with Shirodkar method by using the allis clamp on the edge of the incision site to traction the dilated and effaced cervix effectively, and were able to maintain the two cases of pregnancy. Both delivered healthy babies at term. So we report this case with a brief review of literature.