Purpose
To measure the outcome of emergency cervical cerclage (ECC) combined with progesterone vs. progesterone alone in pregnancy prolongation for preterm labor at 24–28 weeks.
Methods
One hundred patients in early labor were allocated randomly into two equal groups. Group A were treated by ECC and progesterone, and group B were on the same progesterone dose only treatment.
Results
No significant differences were observed in both groups as regard demographic data, fetal gestational age or cervical state on admission. However, a significant pregnancy prolongation was observed in group A (28.44 ± 12.73 days vs. 9.96 ± 3.27 in group B, p < 0.001) with subsequent increase in fetal gestational age (32.04 ± 3.2 vs. 27.86 ± 3.213, p < 0.001), heavier weight, higher Apgar score at 1 and 5 min, and lower rate of cesarean delivery (1033.1 ± 170.83 vs. 715.1 ± 138.73, p < 0.001) (2.68 ± 1.132 vs. 2.14 ± 0.93, p < 0.001), (5.48 ± 2.6 vs. 2.38 ± 1.59, p = 0.01) and (16 vs. 62 %, p = 0.01), respectively. Also neonatal outcomes in terms of early neonatal deaths were lower in this group (18 vs. 46 %, p = 0.049).
Conclusions
ECC is effective in pregnancy prolongation when judiciously used in combination with progesterone compared to progesterone alone.