Cervical Cerclage Often Is Performed for Non-Evidence-Based Indications

Recent evidence has suggested that the benefit of cervical cerclage to prevent midtrimester pregnancy loss or preterm birth applies only to women with three or more preterm births, at least one prior preterm birth and a shortened cervix in a current pregnancy, or a dilated cervix in the second trimester. But how often is the procedure being performed for non-evidence-based indications?

To examine current correlates of cerclage use, investigators conducted a population-based study of more than 21 million pregnancies between 2005 and 2012, including more than 71,000 live births in which the procedure was used (0.34%). Characteristics significantly associated with cerclage use included multiple gestations (1.3% of twins, 7.9% of triplets, and 1…