ABSTRACT
From 1977 to 1981, 29 twin pregnancies were managed by cerclage and tocolysis and this group was compared to 28 twin pregnancies without cerclage. The average birth weight in both groups did not differ significantly. In the group with cerclage 91% of the infants had a birth weight of 2000 or over 2000 gm and none was born prior to 34 weeks gestation. In the group without cerclage, five infants were born prior to 34 weeks gestation and only 76% had a birth weight of 2000 gm or higher. The perinatal mortality in the group with cerclage was zero percent; in the group without cerclage, one died at 31 weeks gestation. The avoidance of deliveries of very small and immature infants inascribed to the influence of cerclage and tocolysis. In the group with cerclage there was a higher incidence of small gestational age infants and a higher incidence of rupture of the membranes and operative deliveries. These were due to a random increase of malpositions. Our results are limited by the fact that the cerclage was done in all cases prior to 27 weeks gestation whereas the group without cerclage did not have the diagnosis of twin pregnancies established prior to 27 weeks gestation in 75% of the cases.
