How to remove Bartholin gland cyst

Many people don’t know much about Bartholin’s gland cyst. In fact, it is a relatively common gynecological disease. The onset of this disease is quite harmful to health. The so-called Bartholin’s gland cyst is a cyst caused by the blockage of the Bartholin’s gland duct, which causes the secretions to accumulate. Patients often have red lumps on the back of the labia, which causes a burning sensation, difficulty urinating, painful urination, difficulty walking, etc.

Bartholin's gland cyst is caused by obstruction of the Bartholin's gland duct and accumulation of secretions. After the acute inflammation subsides, the glandular duct is blocked and secretions cannot be discharged. The pus gradually turns into clear liquid and forms a cyst. Cysts can also be formed if the mucus in the glandular cavity is thick or there is congenital stenosis of the glandular duct and poor drainage. It may also be caused by damage to the Bartholin's glands, such as scars blocking the gland duct openings after perineal and vaginal lacerations during childbirth, or damage to the gland ducts during episiotomy.

Symptoms

Redness, swelling, hard lumps, pain, burning sensation, obvious tenderness, painful urination, difficulty walking, and sometimes difficulty urinating and defecating are found in the posterior 1/3 of the labia majora. It is mostly unilateral, but occasionally bilateral. After that, the skin on the surface of the lump becomes thinner, the surrounding tissue becomes edematous, there is a sense of fluctuation, and it develops into an abscess. The lumps vary in size, mostly the size of an egg. Often accompanied by inguinal lymphadenopathy. In severe cases, there may be systemic symptoms such as fever and headache. If left untreated, the abscess may rupture on its own. After the pus flows out, local pain will be relieved, congestion and edema will be reduced, and systemic symptoms will disappear.

When the pressure inside the abscess increases, the surface skin becomes thinner and the abscess ruptures on its own. If the hole is large, it can drain on its own, and the inflammation will subside quickly and heal. If the rupture is small, the pus cannot be completely drained and the lesion may recur. Examination revealed local skin redness, swelling, fever, and obvious tenderness. Sometimes systemic symptoms such as increased body temperature and increased white blood cell count may occur. If it is a Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection, squeezing the area may cause thin, yellowish pus to flow out. When an abscess is formed, the pain intensifies and a sense of fluctuation can be felt. In severe cases, the diameter of the abscess can reach 5 to 6 cm. The patient will experience systemic symptoms such as fever, and the inguinal lymph nodes may enlarge to varying degrees.

Bartholin's gland cysts vary in size, most of which start small and gradually increase in size. They grow slowly and some may persist for several years. Most of them are solitary, usually no larger than an egg, and rarely occur on both sides at the same time. If the cyst is small and not infected, the patient may have no symptoms and it is often discovered during a gynecological examination. If the cyst is large, the patient may feel a sense of heaviness and swelling in the vulva or discomfort during sexual intercourse. Examination showed that the cysts were mostly unilateral but could also be bilateral.

Treatment

Since the cyst can exist for a long time and remain unchanged for many years, regular observation is required and no treatment is required. If the cyst gradually grows larger and affects your life, or it becomes repeatedly infected and often forms abscesses, a Bartholin gland cyst ostomy may be performed. This method is simple, causes little damage, and can preserve gland function. However, the stoma should be large enough. It is best to place a drainage strip after the stoma is created and flush it with hydrogen peroxide or 2% iodine tincture once a day for 3 to 4 times in total to prevent adhesion and closure after surgery and the formation of a cyst again. Once an abscess has formed, it should be incised and drained.

In recent years, CO2 laser has been used for ostomy treatment, with a high cure rate, no adverse reactions, simple operation, short treatment time, no need to suture the wound, and patients can be treated in outpatient clinics. The high thermal effect of the laser can coagulate and carbonize tissue cells. Since the laser has an affinity for hemoglobin, it has a better coagulation effect, less bleeding during and after the operation, and can preserve the normal function of the gland. It has no effect on sexual life, no infection after surgery, and no need for antibiotics. However, the application scope of this technology is not yet widespread and needs further observation and research.