Skip to main content
SMFM 2025 Pregnancy Meeting Main banner
Final Program


Program Book
Icon Legend
Presentation Icons
Additional registration fee required
Additional registration fee required
CME Credit Offered
CME Credit Offered
Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Recording
Recording
Poster Icons
Additional registration fee required
Additional registration fee required
Faculty have requested this content not be shared on social media
Faculty have requested this content not be shared on social media
CME Credit Offered
CME Credit Offered
Abstract Award
Abstract Award
Back

Poster Session 4

(974) Robotic-assisted abdominal cerclage: A Single-Center Journey

Friday, January 31, 2025
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM  

    Presenting Author(s)

  • AB

    Asha Bhalwal, MD

    Division of Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, UTHealth McGovern Medical School
    Houston, Texas, United States

    • Coauthor(s)

  • ET

    Elio Tahan, MD

    Division of Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, UTHealth McGovern Medical School
    Houston, Texas, United States

    • Submitting Author(s)

  • Aya Mohr-Sasson, MD (she/her/hers)

    Doctor
    Division of Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, UTHealth McGovern Medical School
    Houston, TX, United States

Objective: Transabdominal cerclage (TAC) is currently considered following unsuccessful transvaginal cerclage. The placement of the cerclage can serve for all future pregnancies as it is not removed once it was placed, and following its placement, women are obligated to deliver by Cesarean delivery. Increasing evidence suggests improved neonatal survival rates following abdominal cerclage compared with repeat vaginal cerclage. The aim of this study is to present patient’s characteristics and clinical outcomes of women following robotic assisted abdominal cerclage placed for history indicated cervical insufficiency

Study Design:

This is a retrospective study conducted at a single tertiary medical center. All women following robotic assisted abdominal cerclage placement between November 2020 to February 2024 were included in the study. Data were collected from women's' medical files. Primary outcome was defined as the rate of delivery ≥32 weeks of gestation. 

Results:

16 women underwent robotic assisted abdominal cerclage during the study period, of them 6 (37.5%) were pregnant during the procedure. Women’s mean age and body mass index were 34.4(±4.4SD) years-old and 35.7(±6.9SD) kg/m², respectively.  The mean gravida was 4(±1.8SD) with parity of 1(±1.0SD). 60% of the women had history of previous vaginal cerclage (n=9). The mean gestational age of previous miscarriages was 21.5 (±4.6SD). Mean surgical duration was 136 (±40) minutes with minimal blood loss [mean: 50(±40SD) cc].  Two of the procedures performed during pregnancy were converted, one to open approach as the patient did not tolerate Trendelenburg and one to vaginal approach due substantial pelvic adhesions.  Four of the seven women (70% of the non-pregnant) attempted to conceive, got pregnant with an average time of 3.1(±3.3SD) months. Six of the women included in the study (36%) had already given birth with an average gestational age of 34.7(±3.4SD).

Conclusion:

Robotic assisted abdominal cerclage is a feasible option for the treatment of cervical insufficiency with low complication rate.