A Shirodkar stitch is a type of cervical cerclage: a stitch placed around the cervix to help keep it closed during pregnancy. It is placed higher up on the cervix than a McDonald stitch, closer to its inner opening.
Like the McDonald stitch, it is used for cervical weakness, where the cervix may open too early without contractions. It may be chosen when the cervix is very short, or when a previous stitch did not hold.
The operation is done through the vagina under anaesthesia. The bladder and rectum are gently moved back so that the stitch can be placed high on the cervix, and the tissue is closed over it. Depending on the plan for delivery, the stitch is removed before labour or left in place, in which case the baby is delivered by caesarean section.
