Laparoscopic Removal of Abdominal Cerclage

Abdominal cerclage is necessary when the more commonly used transvaginal cerclage fails or anatomical abnormalities of the cervix preclude transvaginal placement. The disadvantage of an abdominal approach is that the patient can expect 2 laparotomies during her pregnancy, one for cerclage placement and the other associated with cesarean delivery. We report on an abdominal cerclage removed laparoscopically in the case of an intrauterine fetal death at 17 weeks. This minimally invasive surgical technique eliminates the need for laparotomy in response to a poor previable pregnancy outcome.