Treatment of Bartholin's gland cyst?

Question

I have one, and have done some reading on it on the internet. Can someone clear up some confusion? What is the difference between "marsupialization", "removing the cyst", and "removing the gland"? Do they amount to the same thing? Many thanks for any info. (I'm very worried)

Answer 1

I used to have problems with this up until I had it proplerly treated about 2 years ago.
Before they were treated, they would either rupture on their own or the doctor would drain them. However, they ALWAYS came back and it's so painful, isn't it?!

Removing the cyst is essentially draining it. Removing the gland would require surgery and is a last ditch effort if marsupialisation doesn't work.
I had the marsupialization and it worked just fine. Thankfully!
It was uncomfortable, sure, but in the long run it was worth it. It has to be done while you are having a flare up too.
Basically, the doctor freezes the area and makes an incision. He then inserts a Word Catheter. The Word Catheter is essentially a small ballon. When it's inserted it's then inflated (of course it's very small). It gets left in for about a month. The gland then grows around the balloon and esentially stays open and will not become abcessed any more.
It doesn't hurt while it's in, but having it put in and taken out was uncomfortable for a few moments. While it's in you have a little rubber stem hanging out of you, which is a bit cumbersome.

I highly recommend that you speak to your doctor about having this done. It's very effective! I'm going on 3 years without having any cysts.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I know one treatment is actually putting a small catheter into the duct so it can drain. This would not equate actually removing the gland. I would think this would be done first and if you continued to have problems, then a surgeon might remove the gland. Neither of these are very common. Good luck.