Incompetent Cervix

	Surgical & Medical Photos

Fallopian Tube Pelvic Adhesions/ Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) Ovaries Endometriosis Uterus Endometrial Polyps Cervix Appendix Uterosacral nerve ablation OB Images		Incompetent Cervix Incompetent cervix is a medical term that describes a cervix that is either too thin (effaced) or has dilated prematurely. In most cases the cause is unknown. In other cases cervical incompetence may be caused by prior cervical dilation, for example during a D&C or other surgery, or from treatment of very abnormal Pap smears, for example a LEEP (LLETZ) procedure or a cold knife conization. Regardless, once diagnosed by internal exam or ultrasound, the treatment is either cervical cerclage (pronounced "sir-klahj"), which is a stitch around the cervix, or by strict bedrest. Incompetent cervix can be a devastating condition that may lead to delivery of a baby that is far too small to survive outside the mother's body. Thus, early diagnosis and treatment is critical. Click on the hyperlink below to view the larger JPG images Incompetent cervix Here, I placed a McDonald cerclage at about 16 weeks along. The ultrasound shows what is called "funneling" or beaking of the internal cervical os. Without the cerclage the cervix would very likely dilate, causing her to deliver the baby too early. She is on strict bedrest.
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