WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for April, 1998: Re: Bartholin Cyst

Re: Bartholin Cyst

From: anonymous@obgyn.net
Sun, 19 Apr 1998 15:32:51 -0500 (CDT)

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At Sun, 19 Apr 1998, Lynn wrote: >
>Five months ago I had a Bartholin Cyst and gland removed.

Lynn-

Actually, excision of the gland is usually the last resort for treating Bartholin gland cysts or abscesses. There are a number of other useful and less dangerous techniques. These include placing a small balloon catheter, called a Word catheter, into a small incision for about 3-4 weeks. It is not painful, and is easily removed at the end of the 3-4 weeks.

Another technique is called marsupialization, where an oval incision about the size of a thumbnail is made into the skin of the vulva overlying the cyst. The wall of the cyst is sewn to the oval opening. It slowly heals over a month or so. Both of these are a lot less painful than excising the cyst, and have less chance of causing painful intercourse.

If you are over 40, there is a very slim chance that a persistent cyst could be cancer, so some experts recommend excising all such cysts in women over 40. However, this is no longer "set in stone." Finally, you may want to ask your doctor about 1 or 2 steroid injections into the tender scar tissue where the cyst was excised. I have alleviated such pain in a number of patients who had excisions performed.

Good luck. You may wish to check out a paper in American Family Physician I recently wrote on this subject, at:

http://www.aafp.org/afp/980401ap/hill.html

-- Ashley Hill David Ashley Hill, M.D. Associate Director Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Florida Hospital Family Practice Residency Orlando, Florida

The above information is provided for medical education only, and is not intended as specific medical advice. I am sorry, but due to time constraints, I am unable to answer personal e-mail.

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In reply to: Lynn: "Bartholin Cyst"
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