Bartholin's Gland Cyst Health Article

Prognosis

A Bartholin's gland cyst should respond to treatment in a few days. If an abscess requires surgery, healing may take days to weeks, depending on the size of the abscess and the type of surgical procedure used. Most of the surgical procedures, except for incision and drainage, should be effective in preventing recurring infections.

Prevention

There are few ways to prevent the formation of Bartholin's gland cysts or abscesses. However, as a Bartholin's gland abscess may be caused by a sexually transmitted disease, the practice of safe sex is recommended. Using good hygiene, i.e., wiping front to back after a bowel movement, is also recommended to prevent bacteria from the bowels from contaminating the vaginal area.

BOOKS

Toth, P. P. "Management of Bartholin's Gland Duct Cysts and Abscesses." In Saunders Manual of Medical Practice. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 2000.

PERIODICALS

Hill, D. A., and J. J. Lense. "Office Management of Bartholin Gland Cysts and Abscesses." American Family Physician 57, no. 7 (1998): 1611-1616.

Judith Sims

KEY TERMS

Marsupialization—Cutting out a wedge of the cyst wall and putting in stitches so the cyst cannot reoccur.

Sitz bath—A warm bath in which just the buttocks and genital area soak in water; used to reduce pain and aid healing in the genital area.

Window operation—Cutting out a large oval-shaped piece of the cyst wall and putting in stitches to create a window so the cyst cannot reoccur.

Word catheter—A small rubber catheter with an inflatable balloon tip that is inserted into a stab incision in the cyst, after the contents of the cyst have been drained.