Cervical cerclage and type of suture material: a survey of UK consultants' practice. (October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Israfil-Bayli, F.; Toozs-Hobson, P.; Lees, C.; Slack, M.; Daniels, J.; Vince, A.; Ismail, K. M. K.
• Is Part Of: Journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine. Volume 27:Number 15(2014)
• Page Start: 1584
• Page End: 1588
• Publication Date: 2014-10
• Subjects: Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Perinatology -- Periodicals; Infants (Newborn) -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neonatology -- Periodicals; 618.2
• DOI: 10.3109/14767058.2013.870551
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1476-7058

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Objective</italic>: The main aim of the survey was to explore current practices with regards to cervical cerclage procedures amongst UK consultants with particular emphasis on the type of suture material used.</p> <p> <italic>Methods</italic>: An electronic survey of UK consultant members and fellows of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and who previously agreed to be contacted for survey purposes.</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic>: There were 261 respondents to the survey and 88% routinely performed cerclage. The majority performed the procedure between 12 and 16 weeks' gestation (88.7%; <italic>n</italic> = 180/203), following the McDonald technique (83.4%; <italic>n</italic> = 166/199) and using a braided suture material (86.6%; <italic>n</italic> = 175/202). Although only 27 of the 202 responders (13.4%) used a monofilament suture for cerclage (75%; <italic>n</italic> = 149/201) of clinicians stated that they were not sure what is the best suture material to be used.</p> <p> <italic>Conclusion</italic>: There is considerable variation in practice amongst Consultant obstetricians with regards to cervical cerclage. Although most respondents use the traditional braided suture material, a significant proportion of them were not sure what is the best suture material to use. The "gestation at delivery" rate was judged to be the most important outcome for a future study.</p> </abstract>