Bartholin Cyst Surgery

A Bartholin cyst develops when a blockage occurs at the openings of one of the Bartholin glands, which are the two small glands that produce mucus or fluid that helps in lubricating the vagina. This leads to the build-up of mucus and the formation of a lump.
Certain Bartholin cysts are small and do not lead to any pain. If a Bartholin cyst becomes infected, the cyst may become painful and may need medical treatment.

Causes: A Bartholin cyst may develop in a woman in the following cases:

• Bacterial infections like Escherichia or E. coli
• Injury, irritation, or extra skin growth in the vulvar area of the vagina
• Sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea or chlamydia 

Risk factors: Certain factors may increase the risk of developing a Bartholin cyst and may include the following:

• Sexually active woman
• Age between 20 to 30 years
• History of Bartholin cyst 
• Injury or trauma to the vagina
• Recent surgery of the vagina or vulva

Symptoms

A Bartholin cyst may have the following symptoms:

• A protruding lump from the vaginal skin
• Vaginal pressure
• Vaginal discomfort
• Vaginal itching
• Vaginal dryness
• Pain during penetrative sex
• Vaginal bleeding
• Burning sensation or pain during urination 
• Foul smelling discharge from the cyst 

 

Diagnosis

1. Physical examination: The doctor can usually identify a Bartholin cyst by looking at it. The area is usually tender and pus oozes out of the cyst. Other symptoms experienced by the patient are also noted.
2. Pelvic exam: The doctor inserts one or two lubricated, gloves fingers into the vagina to check the female reproductive organs.
3. Swab test: A sample of the vaginal fluid is collected and sent to the laboratory to check for infections.
4. Biopsy: In the case of a post-menopausal woman, there is a possibility of cancer cells being present. The doctor may take a sample of the cell and send it to the laboratory to check for the presence of cancer cells.

 

Treatment

The treatment for Bartholin cysts will depend on the symptoms of the patient. If a cyst is small, painless, and does not appear infected, it may not need any treatment.
If the symptoms persist or the cyst grows in size, then the patient may be developing an infection or abscess. In severe cases, the abscess may need surgical drainage.

The Bartholin cyst treatment options may include the following:

1. Non-surgical treatment: It may include the following options:
Sitz baths: It involves sitting in a bathtub having warm water a few times a day for many days. It promotes healing and provides comfort. It can also help an infected cyst to burst and drain itself.
Over-the-counter pain medicines: These medicines help in relieving your pain and discomfort.
Antibiotics: If the cyst becomes infected, or the tests show that you have a sexually transmitted infection, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

2. Surgical treatment: Surgical form of treatment is recommended for larger Bartholin cysts that cannot be treated by non-surgical means and may include the following treatment options:

• Surgical draining: If the cyst becomes large and infected, surgery may be performed for fluid drainage. A small tube known as a catheter is inserted into the cyst. The catheter will usually be left in place for many weeks to allow complete drainage.
• Marsupialization: This procedure involves opening and draining the cyst surgically. The surgeon will then stitch the cyst wall edges to create a permanent open pouch or pocket for continuous drainage. This type of treatment is often useful in recurrent cases of Bartholin cysts.
• Bartholin gland removal: In extremely rare cases when any other form of treatment does not work, the doctor may choose to remove the Bartholin glands surgically. The procedure is generally performed under general anesthesia, that is, the patient is put to sleep during the procedure.

 

Risks

Bartholin cyst treatment may be associated with the following risks:

• Increased bleeding
• Pain
• Infection
• Allergic reaction to the anesthesia used
• Recurrence of Bartholin cyst 
• Swelling 

 

After Procedure

• Following surgery, the treatment area will have a gauze that helps in soaking up the blood or fluid. This is usually removed before leaving the hospital.
• You can usually resume your daily activities the next day after the surgery. 
• You can resume going to work two to three days after the surgery.
• The doctor may sometimes place a drainage tube in the cyst to help in keeping it open. This helps in the drainage of the cyst as it heals. The catheter is usually removed after a couple of weeks.
• You can shower as usual after reaching home using unscented soap. Pat dry the treatment area after you shower.
• Avoid scrubbing the treatment area.
• Avoid having sex after surgery till the area is completely healed. Complete healing may take approximately two weeks.
• You may be given antibiotic pills to help you get rid of any infection.

Home remedies

• A sitz bath (warm water bath) is recommended once or twice a day, for approximately 10 minutes each time. It will help in soaking and cleaning the affected area.
• Application of gentle pressure to the Bartholin cyst with cotton wool soaked in hot water (a warm compress) may help in rapid recovery.
• Over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or naproxen may be taken to help in relieving any discomfort that may be present.

Prevention:

The following tips may be useful in preventing Bartholin cyst:

• Protect the genital area from injury
• Maintain good vaginal hygiene 
• Use a condom while having sex
• Use lubrication during sex and avoid rough or dry sex

Cost of Bartholin cyst treatment in India- 

The cost of Bartholin cyst treatment in Mumbai is between INR 25,000 to INR 35,000.
The cost of Bartholin cyst treatment in Delhi is between INR 20,000 to INR 32,000.
The cost of Bartholin cyst treatment in Bangalore is between INR 20,000 to INR 32,000.
The cost of Bartholin cyst treatment in Chennai is between INR 15,000 to INR 30,000.