In the article, we will consider how the removal of a Bartholin gland cyst takes place.
This is a pathological phenomenon that is often found in gynecology and is diagnosed mainly in women of reproductive age who lead an active sex life. With any infectious and inflammatory processes, a blockage of the excretory duct of this gland occurs. The fluid begins to accumulate in the cavity, the labia swell, and a small round formation develops in them. If its size is small, it, as a rule, does not cause the patient much discomfort, however, if the tumor enlarges and is complicated by suppuration, surgical intervention is necessary to remove the Bartholin gland cyst. The woman is offered marsupialization, extirpation, or excision of the neoplasm.
When is surgery needed?
If the tumor is small (no more than 2.5 centimeters), then there is no need for surgical intervention. In this situation, the patient should be constantly monitored by a gynecologist, who, using ultrasound, controls the development of the disease. In some situations, the cyst can dissolve on its own without pharmacological effects. However, cystic neoplasms that have reached a large size are always removed in an operable way. It is pointless to hope that a 7-10 cm tumor will resolve.
Drug therapy is mandatory if the patient is diagnosed with:
- fungal and genital infections;
- E. coli infection;
- other inflammatory and infectious pathologies.
After identifying the causative agent of the disease, the gynecologist must prescribe appropriate medications. Basically, broad-spectrum antibiotics and antimicrobial agents are used to prevent the development of a purulent inflammatory process. Local treatment is also carried out with disinfectant solutions and antiseptic ointments.
Big cyst
Surgical intervention is necessary in cases where the size of the cystic formation has greatly increased, since a large tumor prevents the patient from leading a normal life. With frequent exacerbations of this pathology, the removal of the cyst is carried out regardless of the size of the benign neoplasm. Surgical treatment is carried out in various ways, independing on the degree and form of the pathological process, the presence of complications and the general well-being of the patient.
When is a Bartholin's cyst removed?
Indications for surgery
Main indications for surgery:
- acute or recurrent abscesses;
- rapid tumor development;
- with inflammatory purulent processes;
- non-healing fistulas after self-resolving abscess;
- soreness and discomfort.
Busted cyst
When a cyst bursts, the pathological process is accompanied by unbearable pain. With such symptoms, an emergency removal of the Bartholin glands is performed, after which the patient is prescribed antibiotic therapy. Such manipulations are performed under general anesthesia. With the complete removal of this organ, various consequences are possible.
How is a Bartholin's cyst removed?
First of all, surgery is indicated for purulent inflammatory processes. Previously, a specialist may prescribe antibiotic therapy. In some cases, such a therapeutic regimen allows non-surgical elimination of the manifestations of the inflammatory process of the excretory duct, as well as restoring its patency.
The classic opening of a benign tumor and cleaning with disinfectants is far from always an effective method, since in many cases women experiencerelapses. Through the genital tract, various infections enter the body of a woman. If the excretory ducts of the gland are not restored, then negative consequences are inevitable. After surgical procedures, physiotherapy and immunostimulating therapy are required.
Complete removal of the gland
In some cases, experts recommend resorting to extreme measures, which consist in the complete removal of the gland, this allows you to 100% avoid exacerbations.
Extirpation of the gland is the most radical type of surgical treatment.
An operation to remove a gland cyst is prescribed if other types of therapeutic effects do not give positive dynamics. With the help of extirpation, you can once and for all forget about such a problem. However, after the operation, a significant decrease in the quality of sexual life is possible: dryness of the vaginal mucosa due to the weak functioning of a single gland, which leads to discomfort and discomfort during sexual intercourse.
In addition, the suture after removal of the Bartholin gland cyst may disturb.
After removal of the cyst, a large scar remains in the surgical intervention area, a fistula or hematoma may occur. Damage to the venous walls during manipulation is fraught with the development of bleeding. Removal is carried out under general anesthesia, so operations are performed only in women who normally tolerate anesthesia. Hospitalization in a medical facility lasts approximately a week, ifcomplications postoperative period can last up to a month. Considering the above consequences, the complete removal of the Bartholin gland is subject only in severe cases with regular relapses of the pathological process.
In chronic form
In the chronic form of the disease, relapses often occur, self-opening of abscesses and secondary infection can occur. The opening of the formation should be carried out only in a hospital, where proper antiseptic treatment is carried out, the cavity is cleaned of purulent contents, and proper wound care.
It is not possible to completely free the cavity from pus at home. And if an infection enters the bloodstream, sepsis can develop, which, without the timely help of doctors, can provoke the death of the patient. The most popular laser removal of a Bartholin gland cyst.
Sparing surgical treatment
There are several methods of surgical treatment of cysts, which are aimed not only at opening the formation and removing the pathological secretion, but also at developing a new excretory duct. The main ways to perform an operation to remove a Bartholin's cyst can be as follows:
- Marsupialization of a cyst is a method aimed at the formation of a new excretory duct. This operation takes approximately 30 minutes. Everything is done on an outpatient basis with the use of anesthesia. After anesthesia, the doctor makes a dissection of the labia, removes the pathologicalformation, together with its contents, washes the cavity with an antiseptic solution. A catheter is inserted to drain the fluid. If the area of surgical intervention is severely swollen, then an incision is made both on the mucous membrane and on the cyst. After that, the cyst shell is sutured, forming a new excretory duct. Subsequent rehabilitation takes place without drug therapy. This technique allows you to normalize the functioning of the gland, eliminate the inflammatory process, and prevent the development of an abscess.
- Eluscation of a cyst is a manipulation in which an opening of a cystic formation is performed, followed by drainage of the gland. The cyst is husked and treated with antiseptics. After surgical treatment, a drain is inserted through which the accumulated fluid flows out of the cavity. After complete healing, the catheter is removed, and a new excretory duct develops in its place. This is a fairly complex operation that requires great care. During the procedure, the specialist cuts the tissues in the area of the labia minora, while trying not to touch the cyst so that it does not burst, otherwise its contents may enter the wound, causing an infectious process. Bartholin gland cyst surgery is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. After its completion, the patient is prescribed antibiotics, physiotherapy and immunomodulators.
- Removal of a Bartholin gland cyst with a laser is a popular and very effective method with a huge number of advantages. The high precision of laser beams makes it possible not to affect he althy tissues. Under the influence of the laser, the neoplasm is instantly evaporated, as a result, the excretory duct is cleared and resumes its physiological functions. Removal of Bartholin gland cysts with a laser is a painless and bloodless procedure, the duration of which is only 10 minutes, and there is no need for the patient to be hospitalized. After removal of the Bartholin gland cyst with a laser, the body quickly recovers, there is a minimal likelihood of repeated exacerbations. The only disadvantage is the high cost of such an operation, since vaporization is carried out using expensive instruments.
- Installation of a word-catheter is one of the new modern methods of removing Bartholin gland cysts, which involves opening the cyst and processing its cavity, after which a silicone catheter in the form of a tube with a bag is placed inside. Such a design is not allowed to overgrow the walls of the cystic cavity and the duct remains open. After a month, the catheter is removed as the cavity is filled with epithelial cells. The operation lasts approximately 10 minutes, and subsequently does not cause complications. After the procedure, until the catheter is removed and the operated area heals, sexual contacts are prohibited. The main advantage of this technique is the very low probability of recurrence.
- Aspiration of the cyst, which is a fairly simple procedure that is performed when it is necessary to evacuate the internal contents of the cystic formation. During this procedure, in the center of the cysta long needle is inserted, after which the pathological secret is pumped out with a syringe. During the operation, ultrasound monitoring is performed. The fluid is sent for a cytological examination to determine the cause of the pathology. Basically, this method is used during pregnancy, when other methods of surgical treatment are contraindicated. The main advantage is that after the removal of Bartholin gland cysts, there are no sutures. However, after aspiration, the excretory duct of the gland is not fully restored, and in most cases, after a certain time, the pathological formation forms again.
Post-op and recovery
After the removal of the Bartholin gland cyst, the postoperative period is different for everyone.
To reduce the likelihood of postoperative complications, the patient is prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as physiotherapy. Until the wound heals, you must refrain from sexual intercourse.
Recovery after removal of a Bartholin's cyst is usually fast.
If a complete removal of the gland is performed, the postoperative period is delayed for a long time. Severe bruising and swelling appear in the vulva area, which disappear very slowly.
Recovery after removal of the Bartholin's gland, as in the case of excision of the cyst, is associated with the elimination of pathogens that caused the pathology. Antibiotics are prescribed to achieve the following goals:
- downgradethe risk of spreading the infection throughout the body (for example, women with immunodeficiency or pregnant patients);
- eliminate symptoms of a systemic infection (fever, fever);
- fight against the pathogens of gonorrhea, chlamydia, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, found in the process of examining pus from the cyst.
The most appropriate method of surgical treatment is selected by the attending specialist, after which an agreement is made with the patient.
Prevention
For preventive purposes, women need to use barrier contraceptives, observe the rules of personal hygiene, including during and after intimate relationships, treat inflammatory and infectious diseases to the end, visit gynecologists every six months. In addition, young girls and women of reproductive age need to ensure that their feet are always warm, to avoid hypothermia, which is the most common cause of this disease. What happens after surgery to remove a Bartholin's cyst? Below are testimonials from women who have had surgery.
Reviews
Bartholin's cyst today occurs in about 9 women out of 100, and these are very high rates. What is the reason for such a frequent development of this pathology, doctors do not yet know for sure, however, in clinics at the moment, patients can be offered several ways to quickly resolve this problem.
Feedback on cyst remov althere are quite a lot of Bartholin's glands, and they are very diverse. Judging by the information contained in them, extirpation of the gland is most often performed. Women who have undergone such surgical treatment say that this is the most radical method of therapy, in especially advanced cases. Relapses after it do not occur, but there are many other negative consequences. The main complication is that in patients the secretion from the gland is disturbed, which is why the vaginal mucosa constantly dries out, which causes inconvenience not only during intercourse, but also in the process of life.
The most optimal technique is, according to patients, laser treatment. After the removal of the Bartholin gland cyst in this way, as women say, the state of he alth is quickly restored, relapses are extremely rare, and there are no negative consequences. According to patients, this is the most sparing method of therapy and the most painless.
