Marsupialization of the Bartholin’s gland
Marsupialization of the Bartholin’s gland is also known as the Bartholin’s cyst surgery.
When is the surgical procedure required?
The inflammation is caused by aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, as well as Chlamydia and gonococcus, which damage the glandular excretory canal causing the blockade of the excretory pathway and accumulation of the secrete substances, turning the excretory canal and gland into a cyst or even abscess, i.e. the lesion filled with pus, in case of severe inflammation. The surgery is necessary when the female patient experiences pain, while the abscess causes sitting and walking difficulties. A larger Bartholin’s cyst can also cause discomforts and change the external genital appearance, even without the abscess formation.
What does the surgery include?
In case of the abscess of the Bartholin’s gland, it is necessary to perform the surgical procedure to cut an opening in the abscess and evacuate the pus. The aesthetic results after the complete removal of the Bartholin’s gland are usually unacceptable. The recurrence of the disease is common in case of opening of the abscess and draining of the pus. Therefore, it is necessary under local or general anaesthesia to form a new, dilated excretory canal of the gland to allow constant evacuation. A vertical incision, measuring 1 to 3 cm in length, is performed through the vaginal vestibule in the area of the Bartholin’s cyst (abscess). The collection begins to evacuate spontaneously following the incision and is additionally cleaned with a physiological saline and/or hydrogen. The wall of the cyst is then everted, pulled closer to the vestibular mucosa and attached with resorptive sutures, followed by the insertion of the silicone Penrose drain which enables draining of the secretion collection.
How to get prepared?
Day before surgery a patient should eat light food and stop smoking and drinking alcohol and not take anything orally after a night’s sleep.
Related tests and examinations:
Gynecologic examination broaden with ultrasound examination and physical examination and tests indicated by the anaesthesiologist (laboratory tests, ECG, heart and lung X-ray scan, physical examination by other specialist) should be performed.