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Preterm BirthNORACTNCT06122506

Nordic Randomized Trial on Laparoscopic Versus Vaginal Cerclage

A study testing Laparoscopic cerclage and Vaginal cerclage in people with Preterm Birth and Cervical Insufficiency, run by University of Aarhus at 2 sites in Denmark.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

Every year 15 million babies are born prematurely, which can lead to death or life-long disabilities. It is often caused by a dysfunction of the uterine cervix, which constitutes the narrow channel between the vagina and womb. During pregnancy, this channel must remain closed until the beginning of term labor. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older, women only
Conditions the study is for
Preterm Birth, Cervical Insufficiency
What is being tested?
Laparoscopic cerclage and Vaginal cerclage
Type of treatment
Surgery or procedure
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
188 participants
Where
2 sitesDenmark
Study dates
31 Jan 2024to Mar 2028
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • Women only
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Women in whom the clinician has equipoise as to whether an elective vaginal or abdominal cerclage will be the best intervention to prevent preterm birth.
  • Not yet pregnant or <10 weeks' pregnant.

Who cannot join

  • Any circumstance under which the clinician is not willing to randomize is an exclusion criterion.
  • Any condition or circumstance under which laparoscopic or vaginal cerclage surgery is contraindicated (i.e. on-going pregnancy of more than 10+0 gestational weeks).
  • Language difficulties.

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Lea K Hansen, MD contact

+45 51910993

lea.hansen@clin.au.dk

Denmark2 sites, 2 recruiting
  • Aarhus University Hospital

    Aarhus N

    LEA HANSEN, MD, 51910993, lea.hansen@clin.au.dk

    LEA HANSEN, MD

    Recruiting
  • Rigshospitalet

    Copenhagen

    Lone Storgaard, PhD

    Recruiting

Other trials in Denmark

About this study

Every year 15 million babies are born prematurely, which can lead to death or life-long disabilities. It is often caused by a dysfunction of the uterine cervix, which constitutes the narrow channel between the vagina and womb. During pregnancy, this channel must remain closed until the beginning of term labor. A weak cervix may not withstand the weight of the fetus, the amniotic fluid and the placenta and the cervical canal will open and cause late miscarriage or preterm delivery. To prevent this, a band (cerclage) can be applied around the cervix either vaginally or laparoscopically prior to a new pregnancy.

To evaluate which treatment is best for most women, we will randomize (allocate by chance) women at risk for preterm birth, to either vaginal cerclage or laparoscopic cerclage in the Nordic countries and England

Read the detailed description

Both vaginal and abdominal cerclages are procedures that have been used to prevent preterm birth for more than 50 years. However, only one previous study (MAVRIC, Shennan et al. 2020) has compared the two methods in a randomised trial. Other than evidence from the MAVRIC trial there is uncertainty whether an abdominal cerclage should be preferred over vaginal cerclage, and which women would benefit from it the most.

NORACT is an open, multicenter, superiority, randomized controlled trial with the overall objective to compare laparoscopic versus vaginal cerclage in woman in whom the clinician has equipoise as to whether an elective vaginal or abdominal cerclage will be the best intervention to prevent preterm birth. Participants will be recruited pre-pregnancy or in early pregnancy and randomised to vaginal or laparoscopic cerclage. If randomised to laparoscopic cerclage this will be inserted pre-pregnancy or before 10+0 weeks of gestation. The vaginal cerclage will be inserted during pregnancy, before 16+0 weeks of gestation. A total sample of 188 participants will be included to detect a target difference of 15% in the primary outcome between the two groups. The two primary outcomes are delivery before 32+0 weeks of gestation and baby death. The study extends from sites in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, and the United Kingdom.

Being tested
Laparoscopic cerclage, Vaginal cerclage
Keywords
cerclage
Medical subject headings
Premature Birth, Uterine Cervical Incompetence

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Laparoscopic cerclageProcedure or surgery

    Also called Abdominal cerclage

    Classic or robot-assisted laparoscopic cerclage in non-pregnant or early pregnant women.

  • Vaginal cerclageProcedure or surgery

    Transvaginal cerclage in pregnant women.

Study groups in NCT06122506
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
InterventionExperimentalLaparoscopic cerclage
Receives: Procedure: Laparoscopic cerclage
ControlExperimentalVaginal cerclage
Receives: Procedure: Vaginal cerclage

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Delivery <32+0 weeks of gestation.

    In the first subsequent viable pregnancy beyond 14+0 weeks of gestation. First prioritized primary outcome.

    Measured: At birth.

  2. Baby death.

    Loss of a viable pregnancy beyond 14+0 weeks of gestation, miscarriage, stillbirth or death of a live born infant. Second prioritized primary outcome.

    Measured: From birth - four weeks after due date. In the first subsequent viable pregnancy beyond 14 weeks of gestation.

Secondary outcomes (32)
  1. Maternal mortality - surgery related.

    Death.

    Measured: 30 days after insertion of laparoscopic or vaginal cerclage.

  2. Maternal mortality.

    Death.

    Measured: From time of randomisation - 42 days after delivery.

  3. Maternal morbidity - surgery related.

    Admission to ICU or a unit that provides 24-h medical supervision and is able to provide mechanical ventilation or continuous vasoactive drug support.

    Measured: 30 days after insertion of laparoscopic or vaginal cerclage.

  4. Maternal morbidity

    Admission to ICU or a unit that provides 24-h medical supervision and is able to provide mechanical ventilation or continuous vasoactive drug support.

    Measured: From time of randomisation - 42 days after delivery.

  5. Harm to participant - surgery related.

    One or more of the following: Damage to internal organs, need for re-operation, thromboembolic events (defined as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism or stroke), maternal cardiopulmonary arrest.

    Measured: 30 days after insertion of laparoscopic or vaginal cerclage.

  6. Harm to participant

    One or more of the following: Damage to internal organs, thromboembolic events (defined as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism or stroke), maternal cardiopulmonary arrest.

    Measured: From time of cerclage procedure - 42 days after delivery.

  7. Bleeding - surgery related.

    Blood loss > 500 ml.

    Measured: 30 days after insertion of laparoscopic or vaginal cerclage.

  8. Bleeding - pregnancy related.

    Blood loss > 1000 ml.

    Measured: From time of cerclage procedure - 42 days after delivery.

  9. Maternal infection - surgery related.

    Leading to antibiotic treatment, but not ICU.

    Measured: 30 days after insertion of laparoscopic or vaginal cerclage.

  10. Maternal infection - pregnancy related.

    Leading to antibiotic treatment, but not ICU

    Measured: From time of cerclage procedure - 42 days after delivery

  11. Maternal serious infection - pregnancy related.

    Admission to ICU due to serious infection.

    Measured: From time of cerclage procedure - 42 days after delivery.

  12. Maternal serious infection - surgery related.

    Admission to ICU due to serious infection.

    Measured: 30 days after insertion of laparoscopic or vaginal cerclage.

  13. PPROM.

    Preterm prelabour rupture of membranes, in the first subsequent viable pregnancy beyond 14 weeks of gestation.

    Measured: At birth.

  14. Threatened preterm labour.

    Threatened preterm labour requiring admission and intervention, in the first subsequent viable pregnancy beyond 14 weeks of gestation.

    Measured: At birth.

  15. Onset of labour.

    Spontaneous labor contractions, PROM, induction of labor, c-section. In the first subsequent viable pregnancy beyond 14 weeks of gestation.

    Measured: At birth.

  16. Mode of birth.

    Unassisted vaginal, assisted vaginal (ventouse or forceps), caesarean section (planned, non-planned). In the first subsequent viable pregnancy beyond 14 weeks of gestation.

    Measured: At birth.

  17. Modified neonatal mortality.

    Death of a liveborn child > 22+0 weeks of gestation.

    Measured: From birth - four weeks after due date. In the first subsequent viable pregnancy beyond 14 weeks of gestation.

  18. Neonatal mortality.

    Death in the 1st 28 days of life > 22+0 weeks of gestation.

    Measured: From birth - 28 days post delivery. In the first subsequent viable pregnancy beyond 14 weeks of gestation.

  19. Fetal loss.

    Composite of late miscarriage and stillbirth, in the first subsequent viable pregnancy beyond 14 weeks of gestation.

    Measured: At due date.

  20. Late miscarriage.

    Loss of viable pregnancy between gestational age 14+0-21+6, in the first subsequent viable pregnancy beyond 14 weeks of gestation.

    Measured: At due date.

  21. Gestational age at birth.

    Gestational age at birth, weeks and days, in the first subsequent viable pregnancy beyond 14 weeks of gestation.

    Measured: At birth.

  22. Delivery < 28 weeks.

    Birth before gestational age 28+0, in the first subsequent viable pregnancy beyond 14 weeks of gestation.

    Measured: At birth.

  23. Delivery < 34 weeks.

    Birth before gestational age 34+0, in the first subsequent viable pregnancy beyond 14 weeks of gestation.

    Measured: At birth.

  24. Delivery < 37 weeks.

    Birth before gestational age 37+0, in the first subsequent viable pregnancy beyond 14 weeks of gestation.

    Measured: At birth.

  25. Birthweight.

    Grams. In the first subsequent viable pregnancy beyond 14 weeks of gestation.

    Measured: At birth.

  26. Neonatal admission.

    Number of consecutive days in hospital within 28 days from time of delivery. In the first subsequent viable pregnancy beyond 14 weeks of gestation.

    Any admission counts (SCBU, maternity ward, NICU)

    Measured: From birth - four weeks after due date.

  27. CNS morbidity.

    Intraventricular Hemorrhage Grade III and IV and/or Periventricular leukomalacia. In the first subsequent viable pregnancy beyond 14 weeks of gestation.

    Measured: From birth - four weeks after due date.

  28. Ocular morbidity.

    Retinopathy requiring treatment. In the first subsequent viable pregnancy beyond 14 weeks of gestation.

    Measured: From birth - four weeks after due date.

  29. Gastrointestinal morbidity.

    Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) and/or SIP (Spontaneous intestinal perforation), requiring surgery. In the first subsequent viable pregnancy beyond 14 weeks of gestation.

    Measured: From birth - four weeks after due date.

  30. Respiratory support.

    Mechanical ventilation or non-invasive ventilation. In the first subsequent viable pregnancy beyond 14 weeks of gestation.

    Measured: From birth - four weeks after due date.

  31. Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

    Need for surfactant treatment. In the first subsequent viable pregnancy beyond 14 weeks of gestation.

    Measured: First two days of life.

  32. Early onset neonatal infection.

    >5 days of i.v. antibiotics, where the treatment commences within the first week of life. In the first subsequent viable pregnancy beyond 14 weeks of gestation.

    Measured: From birth - four weeks after due date.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted8 Nov 2023
  2. Study start31 Jan 2024
  3. Primary completionDec 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completionMar 2028 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
188 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06122506
Sponsor's protocol ID
06190
Other IDs
NNF21OC0071037
Acronym
NORACT
Status last verified
Sep 2024
First submitted
3 Nov 2023
Last updated
10 Dec 2024
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: After publication of the trial results, the final dataset will be publicly available in an anonymized form using i.e. Zenodo open data repository (CERN) or another equivalent database.

Publications

  • Hansen LK, Krogh LQ, Lantto A, Uldbjerg N, Jensen PT, Shennan A, Hald K, Heikinheimo O, Jacobsson B, Hjartardottir H, Karypidis H, Glavind J. Nordic randomised trial on laparoscopic versus vaginal cerclage (NORACT): trial protocol for an international, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2025 Sep 23;15(9):e107093. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-107093.

    PubMed 40987744

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Laparoscopic cerclage and Vaginal cerclage in people with Preterm Birth and Cervical Insufficiency, run by University of Aarhus at 2 sites in Denmark.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 10 Dec 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in Denmark. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Lea K Hansen, MD (+45 51910993, lea.hansen@clin.au.dk), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Delivery <32+0 weeks of gestation. (time frame: At birth.). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06122506, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 10 Dec 2024.

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