Predictive value of post-cervical cerclage transabdominal ultrasound measurements of cervical length and anterior cervical angle

Abstract

ObjectiveCervical cerclage is a surgical procedure commonly used to treat cervical insufficiency, a condition that can lead to preterm birth. Identifying reliable predictors of preterm delivery in women who have undergone cervical cerclage is crucial for risk assessment and appropriate management. This paper intends to assess the predictive value of cervical length and anterior cervical angle, two parameters captured by transabdominal ultrasound for preterm delivery after cervical cerclage. MethodsClinical data of 250 pregnant women who underwent cervical cerclage from June 2020 to August 2022 were selected and analyzed in a retrospective manner. In the light of the pregnancy outcome, the selected subjects were split into a test group (n = 42) and a control group (n = 114). The cervical length and anterior cervical angle of each subject were captured by transabdominal ultrasound. After that, the predictive value of the two parameters was assessed for preterm delivery, with the aid of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. ResultsInsignificant variations were observed in age, history of pregnancy, history of induced abortion, history of cervical surgery, gestational age at surgery, and other baseline characteristics between the test group and the control group (P > 0.05). Nevertheless, the anterior cervical angle of the test group was larger than that angle of the control group, while the cervical length was shorter in the test group. These variations are significant (P < 0.05). ConclusionsWhen captured by transabdominal ultrasound, cervical length and anterior cervical angle has predictive value for preterm delivery after cervical cerclage (P < 0.05), and cervical length boasts more predictive value than anterior cervical angle. After cervical cerclage, females face a high risk of premature birth, when the cervical length is smaller than 24.5 mm or anterior cervical angle is greater than 110°.