Gynae: Bartholins Flashcards
what is Bartholin’s glands?
pair of glands located either side of the posterior part of the vaginal introitus
usually pea sized and non palpable
produce mucus to help vaginal lubrication
what are Bartholins Cyst’s
when the ducts become blocked the Bartholin’s glands can swell and become tender causing Bartholin’s cyst
swelling is typically unilateral and forms a fluid filled cyst between 1-4cm
what happens when a Bartholin’s cyst becomes infected?
forms a Bartholins’s abscess
will be hot, tender, red, may be leaking pus
how is a Bartholin’s cyst managed?
usually resolves with simple treatment such as good hygeine, analgesia, warm compress
incision generally avoided as the cyst will reoccur
biopsy may be required if vulval malignancy needs to be excluded
how is a Bartholin’s abscess managed?
antibiotics
swab of pus or fluid from the abscess can be taken to culture infective organism and check antibiotic sensitivities - E.coli is most common
send swabs for chlamydia and gonorrhoea too
what 2 surgical interventions can be used to treat Bartholin’s abscess?
word catheter - local anaesthetic
marsupialisation - requires general anaesthetic
what is a Word catheter?
small rubber tube with a balloon on the end. procedure may be performed in a treatment room
LA used to numb the area
incision made to drain pus
word catheter is inserted into the abscess space an inflated up to 3ml with saline
balloon fills space and keeps catheter in place
tissue heals around the catheter preventing a cyst or abscess reoccurring
tissue heals around the catheter leaving permanent hole
catheter can be deflated and carefully removed at later date
what is marsupialisation?
GA in theatre
incision made and abscess drained
sides of abscess sutured open to allow continuous drainage of area and prevents recurrence of cyst or abscess
