Bartholin glands are glands located on both sides, right and left, at the entrance of the vagina. Bartholin glands open to the entrance of the vagina, just above the hymen, through a thin channel. The function of the Bartholin glands is to moisten the vagina by secreting secretions during sexual intercourse, thus facilitating the entry of the penis into the vagina. Bartholin's glands are not normally visible to the naked eye, but they become visible if a cyst or abscess forms.
When the duct connecting the Bartholin gland to the vagina is blocked anywhere, for any reason, the secretion accumulates in the duct and a Bartholin cyst occurs. If the formed cyst becomes infected with bacteria, pus forms inside and thus a Bartholin abscess occurs. Cyst or abscess is usually unilateral. It can rarely be bilateral.
Although it is most common in women of reproductive age and sexually active lives, it can also be seen in virgin women.
The cause of Bartholin cyst is not always clear. It usually occurs after a trauma to this area. If infection is added to this, bartholin abscess occurs. Sexually transmitted bacteria such as gonorrhea, chlamydia infections, and sometimes more than one bacteria can cause this.
The diagnosis of Bartholin cyst and abscess is made by pelvic examination.
Bartholin cyst is usually painless. It is possible. Its size can vary from the size of a pea to the size of an orange.
It seriously affects the patient's social life. It causes pain, redness, tenderness, difficulty in sitting and walking in the external genital area. Sometimes there may also be fever and fatigue.
If there is any growth in bartholin benzoin after menopause, cancer may be considered. The cyst must be removed and sent to pathology.
Treatment of Bartholin Cyst and Abscess
If the Bartholin Cyst is small and does not cause any complaints, there is no need for treatment. In young women, the Bartholin gland should be protected as much as possible. If the Bartholin cyst is large and recurs frequently, it can be removed by surgery.
Bartholin cyst and abscess treatment; It can be performed under local or sedation anesthesia.
The surgical method is the Marsupialization technique, which is to open the cyst wall outward. marsupial In the isolation technique, a 1-2 cm incision is made on the cyst or abscess and the mucus or abscess in the gland is drained. In marsupialization, the cyst wall is mouthed outward and stitched to prevent the hole from closing. This surgery takes approximately 10 minutes. The patient is comfortable and the Bartholin gland heals completely within 6-8 days.
Another option is to drain the abscess by making a small hole on the Bartholin abscess, placing 0.5cm silver nitrate into the gland and waiting for 24-48 hours. Afterwards, the cyst wall is removed.
There is a new method called Word catheter application in the treatment of Bartholin cysts and abscesses. In this method, the cyst or abscess is drained through a small hole. The balloon part of the word catheter is placed inside and the catheter balloon is inflated with 2-3 cc of physiological saline. The other end of the catheter is placed into the vagina. This catheter is left here for 4-6 weeks to allow the fluid inside the gland to flow out. This reduces the recurrence rate.
If Bartholin's cyst or abscess recurs very frequently, it is necessary to completely remove the gland with surgery. However, it is not a preferred method. Bartholin gland is tried to be protected as much as possible.
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