The use of a modified rescue cervical cerclage in a diamniotic dichorionic twin pregnancy that had cervical dilatation

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveWe describe the successful utilization of a modified rescue cerclage in a 32‐year‐old G4 P1213 woman of Afro‐Caribbean descent with a Diamniotic Dichorionic twin gestation who presented at 20 weeks and 2 days for a routine anomaly scan and was found to have a dilated (1.7 cm) and short (0.49 cm) cervix.DesignA standard prophylactic cervical cerclage was done at 12 weeks' gestation using Mersilene™ tape. For the rescue cerclage, the client was placed in a steep Trendelenburg position, with back filling of the bladder. The cervix was grasped with ring forceps, and an inflated foley balloon catheter was introduced into the cervical opening to aid in reduction of membranes. In addition to the initial cerclage, two 1‐ Prolene™ sutures were inserted distally to the tape and a second Mersilene™ tape was inserted proximally at the vesicocervical junction (reinforcement cerclages). The first Prolene™ was to provide additional structural support to prevent prolapse of the membrane. The second Prolene™ was used to close the external cervical or to minimize the risk of an ascending infection. The procedure was uneventful and postoperatively she was treated with antibiotics, vaginal micronized progesterone and venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. The membranes remained intact.ResultThe twins were successfully delivered by a scheduled repeat caesarean section at 36 weeks with Twin 1 Apgar scores of 9 and 9 at 1 and 5 min, respectively, and Twin 2 Apgar scores of 8 and 10, respectively.ConclusionIn the context of a challenging obstetric history as in this case, a more aggressive approach inclusive of reinforcement cerclage may be considered. The successful outcomes in this case further reiterates the need for larger clinical trials with pregnant individuals with larger cervical dilations at entry.