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Post cervical cancer (trachelectomy) - cerclage...

KW - 11:43am Oct 16, 2009 EST

Hi,

I'm wondering if anybody has had a successful term birth after having a trachelectomy??? (a trachelectomy is where your cervix is removed because of invasive cervical cancer)

It's really difficult to find anybody online who has had this procedure....

We live in Boston and are seeing another specialist next week who is an expert on the cerclage (a cerclage was placed high up after my cervix was cut out to help me maintain a future pregnancy) and I am hoping he might be able to tell us how effective the cerclage will be in getting us to term with a pregnancy.... so I already have a cerclage - what they call a 'buried' stitch since you can't physically see it when examined...

If anybody is in a similar position I would love to hear from them and whether they found any doctors/procedures which were effective...

Jackie G - Oct 16, 2009 5:58 pm (#1 Total: 5)

Mom to Kimberly (25 wkr, now 6 yrs!) & Matthew (38.5 wkr, almost 4 yrs!)

First, let me say that I am sorry for what you have gone through so far. Cervical cancer is scary and I hope that you are doing well now.

I am not familiar with a "buried" stitch and the only thing I can think that comes close is an abdominal cerclage but I don't know if they are the same. I know an abdominal cerclage is done before pregnancy but I don't know if the stitch is in the same spot. If it is, then there are a couple of people here on Share who have had them. Hopefully they will chime in soon to help you out!

good Luck,
Jackie

esg1 - Oct 18, 2009 5:32 pm (#2 Total: 5)

Abigail's Mom (29 weeks, 3/21/05)

Welcome to the Share Community. I have not heard of the buried stitch but it sounds like something that would help, especially if the doctor put it in specifically for that purpose. I am sorry that I am not of more help. Hopefully someone else will chime in soon. Good luck with your appointment and journey. Please keep us updated.

Ellen

KW - Oct 25, 2009 12:25 pm (#3 Total: 5)

Hi Jackie and esg1,
Thanks so much for your replies

I noticed that you both have had prem babies and I am wondering if this is post trachelectomy? If so, can I contact you to ask more about how you managed or can you post any info?
Thanks in advance,
Kelly.
PS The description 'buried stitch' is just the name for a cerclage which is usually administered vaginally at the time of a radical vaginal trachelectomy....it just means that it's placed high up ie buried so you can not see it merely by being examined...

Replies to this message

Jackie G (Oct 25, 2009 6:08 pm)

Jackie G - Oct 25, 2009 6:08 pm (#4 Total: 5)

Mom to Kimberly (25 wkr, now 6 yrs!) & Matthew (38.5 wkr, almost 4 yrs!)

Replying to: KW (Oct 25, 2009 12:25 pm)

Hi Jackie and esg1, Thanks so much for your replies :ooh: I noticed that you both have had...

Re: Post cervical cancer (trachelectomy) - cerclage...

I did not have a trachelectomy, I just had an incompetent cervix.
You are welcome to e-mail me (click on my name when you are logged in and it will bring up a box with my e-mail address) but I don't know that my history is really what you are looking for. I did have a cerclage but it was just a normal cervical cerclage, and not a buried stitch.

I do wish you lots of luck though!
Jackie

mai_lin - Nov 17, 2009 9:53 pm (#5 Total: 5)

I think you're talking about a trans-vaginal cerclage? Some woman with very minimal cervix or a failed cervical cerclage will go for a TVC.

I didn't have one for my first pregnancy (post cervical cancer) and it ended at 28 weeks (now 3.5 years old and doing SO well), but did have a cervical cerclage for my second (now 15 months) and went to 37 weeks. I actually went into labor when the stitch was removed...

I'm also in the Boston area and we probably consulted with the same doctor. When I was looking at the TVC route I consulted with Dr. Davis and would probably do the same if/when we decide to try again.

Jen D.

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