Patient's question:
Last night: Quail egg-sized, pain: City's level 3 hospitalDoctor's answer:
The Bartholin's glands are glands that secrete mucus to lubricate the vagina. They originally have their own openings, but if they become inflamed or blocked by debris, the mucus cannot be expelled, leading to swelling and the formation of Bartholin's gland cysts. If the swelling is severe, it may rupture spontaneously, releasing pus and then healing. However, the wound will close, causing it to swell again and recur. If a pouch is created to form an artificial new opening, the mucus and debris within the Bartholin's glands can be expelled, preventing recurrence.Laser surgery: The treatment includes cystostomy and cystectomy. Cystostomy is suitable for larger and recurrent acute cysts; cystectomy is suitable for infected cysts. For larger cysts, a CO2 laser is focused at the lowest point (power 25W) to incise the skin by 0.5 cm, or an Nd:YAG laser fiber (power 20W) is used to incise the lowest point of the mass by 0.5 cm. The cyst contents are drained, and the drainage opening is cleaned and dressed daily.
Cystectomy: This involves the removal of the swollen Bartholin's glands. The surgery uses a focused CO2 laser (power 25W or higher). The procedure follows standard sterilization and aseptic dressing techniques. Local anesthesia (1% lidocaine) is used, along with a pair of skin forceps and a speculum. The skin is incised along the natural creases using the laser, and a curved hemostat assists in cyst wall dissection. The skin is incised, but the cyst wall is not opened. The speculum is used to dilate the incision, and a curved hemostat is used to protect the cyst wall. The laser output power is adjusted based on the incision into the cyst wall to gradually dissect the cyst wall. After completely dissecting the cyst, the wound is rinsed with sterile saline to remove any carbonized tissue, and the speculum is removed. The wound is sutured from inside to outside, leaving no dead space. The stitches are removed after 7–10 days. The incision should be observed daily postoperatively, and the dressing should be changed promptly if it becomes wet from urination. For smaller cysts, the skin incision can be sutured, and a sterile dressing is applied externally for protection. After surgery, a special balloon can be made from a double-layered condom and placed in the vagina, inflated appropriately with air. The gas volume should be controlled to the extent that the cyst walls can adhere. The balloon is replaced daily or every other day. Each time the balloon is inserted into the vagina, it must be sterile to prevent infection. The balloon is removed after 7–10 days. Through multiple cases, it has been found that suturing the incision and using the balloon to compress and repair the cyst wall is equally effective and causes no discomfort to the patient.
Postoperative care: Postoperatively, auxiliary anti-inflammatory and multivitamin preparations are given. Supportive treatment is provided for patients with poor physical conditions.
The perineum is considered the most "private" area for women. Although all women pray that this area does not malfunction, some women suffer from "privacy pain" and are restless. Due to traditional concepts and the sensitivity of the physiological area, many women prefer to endure unbearable pain rather than seek medical attention. Some also believe that the pain during intercourse may be due to their personality being too conservative and, and that they have not learned to cooperate and relax. In fact, this type of "private" pain that typically occurs during intercourse is not only caused by psychological factors but also by physical diseases, which should not be ignored. Preventing Bartholin's gland cysts should not be taken lightly.
Fungal infections are a major factor in triggering "Bartholin's gland cysts," and using the same towels and basins for the lower body as those for the feet is a significant route for vaginal fungal infections. According to authoritative statistics, approximately 30%–40% of people worldwide have suffered from fungal infections of the feet. As a result, many people overlook the transmission chain of "foot fungus-basin-towel-vaginal infection," leading to repeated infections, swelling, and pain while trying to treat the inflammation. Ultimately, the fungal infection chain has not been broken. As long as (using a 5% potassium permanganate solution) and vaginal medication are used, and towels for the lower body and feet are sterilized at high temperatures, underwear is washed separately and exposed to sunlight, and the perineum has a dull ache, it can be resolved in a short time.
Bartholin's gland cysts are a common and frequent disease in women, occurring at any age. Patients may experience small, red papules with small blisters on the external genitalia, accompanied by redness, swelling, pain, and an unbearable itch, especially at night, making it difficult to sleep. Scratching can lead to ulcers and purulent discharge, and in severe cases, it may worsen and even endanger life. In fact, treating perineal eczema is not difficult; the key is to seek timely and consistent treatment. Generally, maintaining cleanliness of the perineum is crucial for prevention and treatment. If any problems with the external genitalia are detected, medical attention should be sought promptly to avoid delaying the condition. Teenage girls and children can rinse the perineum with a low-concentration potassium permanganate solution. The external genitalia should be cleaned frequently, and underwear should be changed often. At night, the perineum should be exposed to ensure ventilation. In daily diet, it is advisable to avoid smoking, alcohol, fish, eggs, and other pungent foods, as well as onions, garlic, and spicy foods.