Cervical incompetence. A diagnostic and prognostic scoring system.

Recognition of the incompetent cervical as a cause of midtrimester abortion and prematurity has led to the development of surgical methods of repair. Diagnosis of the condition has generally relied on clinical findings and historical information from the patient. A scoring system based on clinical and historical criteria is suggested for selection of patients for surgical correction. Thirty-one cases of cervical incompetence tested surgically over the past 10 years are reviewed. Patients who had higher scores had a higher postoperative pregnancy success rate than the patients with lower scores. The scoring of patients preoperatively appears useful for selection of patients as well as prognostically.