Amniocentesis prior to cerclage: An invasive strategy to exclude patients with sub-clinical intraamniotic inflammation before treatment

Introduction: Cervical cerclage is performed in patients with cervical insufficiency to reduce risks of misscariage/extreme prematurity. Severe complications can occur if performed in patients with intraamniotic inflammation. High levels of intraamniotic interleukin-6 (IL-6) are associated with histological chorioamnionitis. In expert hands amniocentesis is considered a safe procedure which we use routinely in management of PPROM. The aim of our study is to validate our strategy – diagnostic amniocentesis prior to cerclage.