Patient's question:
A mass with a diameter of about 1 centimeter is observed on the left labia majora of the vagina.Doctor's answer:
Under normal circumstances, the Bartholin's glands are invisible and cannot be felt. If they become inflamed due to infection or form scars after trauma, leading to the obstruction of the duct openings; or if they are injured during childbirth due to perineal laceration; or if the ducts are damaged during a perineal episiotomy and the openings are closed after suture, the secretions cannot be expelled and accumulate inside, causing the glands to swell and form cysts. As the cysts grow larger, they protrude externally, making them visible and palpable—this is what constitutes a Bartholin's gland cyst. Initially, the size of the cyst is similar to that of a date or pigeon egg, painless and asymptomatic, so it is often discovered by gynecologists. This type of cyst grows very slowly and rarely reaches the size of an egg, and it is mostly unilateral.If the cyst is small, without significant symptoms or impact, no treatment is necessary, and surgery is not required. Simply maintaining external genital hygiene and undergoing regular medical examinations is sufficient. However, if the cyst is large or grows rapidly and causes symptoms such as local heaviness or discomfort during intercourse, treatment should be administered. The treatment for Bartholin's gland cyst involves draining the cyst by making an incision and then suturing the edges with 6–8 stitches to prevent the wound from closing and allowing secretions to accumulate again. After surgery, maintaining local hygiene is crucial. A 1/5000 potassium permanganate solution should be used for sitz baths after each bowel or urinary movement to prevent infection.