Objective: The purpose of our study was to evaluate McDonald cerclage placement with pudendal anesthesia. Patient pain and hospital charges were analyzed and compared with a control group.
Study design: This was a prospective, nonrandomized study. Pain was evaluated with a visual analog scale. Two groups were compared with the Student t test.
Results: Of 69 patients, 20 had cerclage with pudendal anesthesia; 49 served as control and had cerclage with regional anesthesia. There were no statistical differences in pain between the two groups or complications from pudendal anesthesia, and there was a large cost savings.
Conclusion: All 20 patients had McDonald cerclage placed successfully with pudendal anesthesia. McDonald cerclage can be easily and safely placed under pudendal anesthesia, resulting in cost savings and improved use of time and resources for the patient and her physician.