Effects of emergency cerclage on the neonatal outcomes of preterm twin pregnancies compared to preterm singleton pregnancies: A neonatal focus

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of emergency cerclage (EC) in preterm twins by comparing neonatal outcomes of preterm twins with those of preterm singletons. STUDY DESIGN: This is a single-institution retrospective study of preterm infants born to women who underwent EC from 2008 to 2014. We compared various maternal and neonatal factors. The primary and secondary goals were to compare the maternal and neonatal morbidities and neonatal mortality, respectively. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-three infants were included comprising 32(21%) twins and 121(79%) singletons. The mean gestational age (GA) at the time of EC and the number of days from EC to delivery were not significantly different (47.9±27.5 vs. 48.3±35.5). The rate of preterm delivery at ≤32 weeks GA (69% vs. 79%) and ≤28 weeks GA (50% vs. 55%), and other prematurity-associated morbidities were not significantly different. The survival rate during hospitalization was 75% (24/32) in twins and 88% (107/121) in singletons (P = 0.054). Death within 7 days after birth occurred in 8 twins (25%) and 7 singletons (6%) (P = 0.001). All of the infants were <1,000 g with a GA of ≤27 weeks. CONCLUSION: Compared to EC in singleton pregnancies, EC in twin pregnancies resulted in a higher mortality rate for preterm babies. EC might be considered a salvage procedure for selective twin pregnancies with cervical insufficiency.