Bartholin Cyst (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
Surgery
- For Bartholin abscesses and cysts that are symptomatic (large or painful), the treatment is drainage. An abscess is an infection within an enclosed space, and antibiotics do not adequately enter into the enclosed space. Therefore, treatment of an abscess almost always requires that the infection be drained.
- Drainage of a Bartholin abscess can be done in the
doctor's office or a hospital's Emergency Department. Local anesthetic is
injected over the abscess, and then an incision is made on the inner surface
of the entrance to the vagina. After the infected material is drained, the
abscess cavity is packed either with gauze or a small catheter. This holds
the cavity open and promotes further drainage. Gauze packing is removed
after 24-48 hours. If a small catheter is used, it may be left in place for
several weeks to minimize the chance of recurrence.
- Drainage of an abscess can be uncomfortable, because local anesthetics do not always work well in inflamed tissue. Depending on the preferences of both the woman and the doctor, as well as other factors including the size of the abscess, IV medications may be given for sedation and additional pain relief during the procedure.
- After drainage of an abscess, antibiotic treatment is usually not necessary. However, if there is a concern of a sexually transmitted infection, or if there is evidence of urinary or vaginal infection, an antibiotic may be prescribed. In some cases, this will be done a couple of days after the initial treatment, after the results of any cultures are received.
- Drainage of a Bartholin abscess can be done in the
doctor's office or a hospital's Emergency Department. Local anesthetic is
injected over the abscess, and then an incision is made on the inner surface
of the entrance to the vagina. After the infected material is drained, the
abscess cavity is packed either with gauze or a small catheter. This holds
the cavity open and promotes further drainage. Gauze packing is removed
after 24-48 hours. If a small catheter is used, it may be left in place for
several weeks to minimize the chance of recurrence.
Once a recurrent cyst has been cooled off, a procedure called a marsupialization can be carried out. This is usually done in an outpatient surgical setting. An incision is made into the skin over the cyst and then carried down through the cyst wall. This drains the fluid from the cyst and then the lining of the cyst wall is sutured to the overlying skin in such a way as to create a permanent drain site. This usually prevents recurrence of the cyst.
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ENABLEX is a prescription medicine used in adults to treat the following symptoms due to a condition called overactive bladder:
- · having a strong need to go to the bathroom right away (also called "urgency")
- · leaks or wetting accidents (also called "urinary incontinence")
- · having to go to the bathroom too often (also called "urinary frequency")
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
You should not take once-daily ENABLEX if you have certain types of stomach problems, glaucoma, or have trouble emptying your bladder. Side effects of ENABLEX include blurred vision, and more commonly dry mouth, constipation, indigestion, and abdominal pain. Use caution when doing certain activities until you know how ENABLEX affects you.
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Drainage, Bartholin Abscess »
The Bartholin glands are a pair of pea-sized, vulvovaginal, mucous-secreting vestibular glands that are located in the labia minora in the 4- and 8-o’clock positions, beneath the bulbospongiosus muscle.
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