Utilización de la longitud cervical para la reducción de la estancia hospitalaria en pacientes ingresadas por amenaza de parto pretérmino

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the impact of ultrasound cervical length measurement on length of hospital stay in patients admitted for preterm labor. Material and methods We performed a prospective longitudinal study of a sample of patients with preterm labor admitted to two admission wards (units 1 and 2). In unit 1, the patients were managed according to the routine protocol, based on Bishop's index and the presence of uterine activity confirmed by monitoring. In unit 2, the protocol was modified according to cervical length measured by ultrasound and early discharge was planned if cervical length was 25 mm or more. The characteristics of both groups, mean length of hospital stay and delivery rates within 7 days and before 34 and 37 weeks’ gestation were analyzed. Results One hundred thirty-eight patients were included in the study. Delivery rates within 7 days and before 34 and 37 weeks’ gestation and the incidence of readmission were similar in both groups. However, length of hospital stay was significantly reduced in unit 2 (6.14 days vs 3.86; p < 0.001), where cervical length was used as a criterion for discharge. Conclusions Routine use of ultrasound assessment of cervical length in patients admitted for preterm labor may reduce length of hospital stay without increasing preterm delivery rates or the percentage of readmissions.