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Background/aim: The Word catheter is a silicone device with a balloon system that may be inserted into a Bartholin's cyst or abscess in order to provide drainage and epithelization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Word catheter as a therapy for Bartholin's cyst and abscess. Both patient and physician satisfaction, as well as the feasibility in an outpatient setting, were examined., Patients and Methods: A total of 51 women with a Bartholin's cyst or abscess were given the option of Word catheter insertion in an outpatient setting between August 2013 and March 2018. Both the patients and the consulting physicians were asked to complete two questionnaires, before, during and after treatment, with a view to evaluating the overall pain level, any discomfort symptoms and sexual activity, as well as satisfaction levels., Results: The insertion procedure seemed to constitute a short yet quite painful procedure. In most cases, the consulting physicians and the patients were content with the results. Nevertheless, dislodgement of the catheter or abscess recurrence were common. The removal of the Word catheter seemed to be short, painless, and uncomplicated. Most patients experienced pain and discomfort after catheter placement over the first days, with the symptoms fading over time. Sexual intercourse appeared to be negatively influenced., Conclusion: The Word catheter was frequently well tolerated for the treatment of Bartholin's cysts and abscesses, with few non-serious side-effects, however, it did interfere with sexual health. Nonetheless, it may not be possible to make general recommendations based on this exploratory study., (Copyright © 2024, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Objective: There is no consensus on the best option for the management of Bartholin's gland abscesses. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the Word catheter placement and marsupialization methods in the management of women with a cyst or abscess of the Bartholin's glands., Data Sources: The PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases, as well as Google Scholar, were searched to retrieve articles published between January 1990 and July 2023, comparing the Word catheter treatment with marsupialization for women with a cyst or abscess of the Bartholin's glands., Study Selection: Both observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this meta-analysis., Data Extraction and Synthesis: After the review, out of 9 relevant articles, only 4 (2 observational studies and 2 RCTs) were included in this meta-analysis, providing the data of 735 patients (396 in the Word catheter group vs. 339 in the marsupialization group). The data was extracted from the selected articles, using a data extraction form. Comparison of the Word catheter and marsupialization methods suggested that the risk of recurrence was approximately 7.6% in the Word catheter group and 9.4% in the marsupialization group. The findings indicated no significant difference in the recurrence of cysts or abscesses when comparing the Word catheter treatment with marsupialization (odds ratio = 0.99, 95% confidence interval: 0.29-3.43, P = 0.990, I 2  = 77%)., Conclusion: This meta-analysis found no significant difference in the rate of recurrence between the Word catheter and marsupialization methods. In general, marsupialization and Word catheter placement in the treatment of Bartholinitis seem to be equally effective., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

The metastasis of a gynecological malignancy to the Bartholin gland is rare. We report the case of a 62-year-old patient who had undergone extensive treatment of metastatic ovarian cancer that involved the liver, spleen, and peritoneum. She presented with painful swelling of the left vulva. Clinical and sonographic examinations showed a solid tumor in loco typico of the Bartholin gland. Surgical excision was performed. The patient died 3 months after the diagnosis of this metastasis. We performed a systematic search of PubMed, which yielded 453 entries. We selected those with at least an abstract available in English that described metastatic lesions on the Bartholin gland (n = 5). The review showed that a variety of primary cancers (colorectal, medullary thyroid, breast cancer, and endometrial cancers) metastasize to this location. Some patients showed signs of visceral metastasis. Bartholin gland metastases appeared as initial and metachronous manifestations. Most patients were symptomatic, with painful swelling or abscess. Genetic alterations were mentioned in some cases. The main pathways of metastasis discussed were lymphatic, but the mechanism of such metastasis remains unclear. Surgical resection was the preferred treatment option. The literature review indicated that Bartholin gland metastasis of ovarian cancer is rare and associated with poor prognosis. Oncological reasons for vulvar pathologies should be taken into consideration in patients with metastases., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of synchronous ovarian and vulva (Bartholin gland) cancer. A postmenopausal woman presented with a complex multiloculated left adnexal mass and 2-cm right Bartholin gland mass. CA 125 was 59 IU/mL. Computed tomography of chest, abdomen, and pelvis showed a very large (32 × 13.5 × 22.5 cm) complex mass arising from the pelvis and extending to the level of the T12/L1 disk space. A right Bartholin mass with suspicious right inguinal nodes was seen. Midline laparotomy, total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophrectomy, infracolic omentectomy, pelvic peritoneal biopsies, and peritoneal washings were carried out. Wide local excision of the right Bartholin gland mass was carried out in the same setting. Histopathology came back as Stage 2B left ovarian clear-cell carcinoma and synchronous right Bartholin gland adenoid cystic carcinoma with lymphovascular invasion, incompletely excised, staged at least FIGO Stage 1B. Following local multidisciplinary team discussion and positron emission tomography scan review, the local committee agreed to start three cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy then proceed with Bartholin gland scar re-excision and bilateral groin lymph node dissection. After the three cycles, the groin lymph nodes came back as metastatic adenocarcinoma with overall morphologic and immunohistochemical features consistent with metastatic ovarian clear-cell carcinoma. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was given. Initial follow-up period over 9 months was uneventful., (© 2023 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.)

Background: Sneathia amnii is a conditional pathogen of the female genital tract that is involved in bacterial vaginosis and poor reproductive and perinatal outcomes. Few studies have reported subcutaneous cysts following invasive infection caused by S amnii., Case Presentation: Here we report the case of a 27-year-old woman who presented with Bartholin's gland cyst due to S amnii infection, and was successfully treated with surgical neostomy and antibiotic agents. The isolate was gram-negative, bacillary, anaerobic, and was identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 16 S rRNA., Conclusions: S amni is an important but underappreciated pathogen that needs further investigation. This report describes the microbial and pathogenic characteristics of S amnii and is expected to provide a valuable reference in obstetric and gynecologic clinical practice., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Objective: This study aim was to examine the success rate of simple needle aspiration for acute Bartholin's gland abscess and compare it to incision and drainage treatment., Study Design: This was a non-randomised prospective study conducted at the academic Hospital of La Conception, Marseille, France. We included 202 women who presented with acute Bartholin's gland abscess between June 2013 and October 2017. The study cohort was subdivided into two treatment groups, simple needle aspiration (134 women) or incision and drainage (42 women), according to the women's preference. Success was considered as the absence of surgical treatment within one year of the initial treatment., Results: The success rate was 68/134 (51% (95% CI: 42-59%)) in the simple needle aspiration group and 25/42 (60%) in the incision drainage group (RR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.63-1.15, P = 0.3). Among 122/134 (91%) women who completed the satisfaction survey, 99/122 (81%) were satisfied with the simple needle aspiration., Conclusions: Simple needle aspiration can be offered as first-line treatment for acute Bartholin's gland abscess. Simple needle aspiration can be performed as an outpatient procedure without general anesthesia avoiding surgical treatment in half of the cases one-year post- simple needle aspiration., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

BACKGROUND Adenoid cystic carcinomas of Bartholin's gland are rare among gynecological malignancies, accounting for 0.1% to 7% of vulvar carcinomas and 0.001% of all female genital tract malignancies. There are no specific guidelines regarding treatment recommendations; therefore, they are commonly treated like vulvar cancer. CASE REPORT We present the case of a 42-year-old premenopausal woman with an adenoid cystic carcinoma of Bartholin's gland diagnosed upon biopsy of a palpable, predominantly vaginally located mass causing foreign-body sensation, vaginal pain, and extreme dyspareunia. The adenoid cystic carcinoma of Bartholin's gland was treated by radical resection in an extensive interdisciplinary surgical approach including bilateral inguinal lymph node dissection, partial posterior colpectomy, amputation of the rectum, and creation of a descendostomy, as well as reconstruction of the vagina and defect coverage using flap plastic. CONCLUSIONS With the presentation of this case, we propose a possible therapeutic approach to adenoid cystic carcinomas of Bartholin's gland with emphasis on surgical management. Especially in young patients, we recommend primary radical surgery with the objective to obtain negative resection margins. However, additional data on the adenoid cystic carcinoma of Bartholin's gland is needed to better understand its biological behavior and thus optimize and standardize treatment. The role of systematic inguinal-femoral lymphadenectomy and adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment modalities need further evaluation.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the various treatment methods and recurrence rates regarding Bartholin's gland abscesses under office conditions in our clinic., Methods: In our study, the data of 155 patients who applied to the gynaecology and obstetrics clinic of our hospital between January 2017 and November 2020 and had Bartholin's abscess that was treated with surgical methods under office conditions were analyzed retrospectively., Results: Of the 155 patients included in the study, 111 underwent incision drainage, 22 underwent marsupialization, and 22 underwent incision drainage+ silver nitrate. Bartholin's abscess was localized on the right side in 48.4% of the patients and on the left side in 51.6% of the patients. Recurrence was detected in 53 of 155 patients included. Recurrence was detected in 39.6% of the patients who underwent incision drainage in the first treatment, 31.8% of those who underwent marsupialization, and 9.1% of those who underwent incision+silver nitrate. The difference in success, based on recurrence rates, was found to be statistically significantly in favour of silver nitrate (p<0.05). In secondary treatments for recurrent cases, marsupialization or incision+silver nitrate treatment was effective in over 90% of cases, while incision drainage was effective in 30% of patients., Conclusion: The findings of our study show that silver nitrate application led to a lower recurrence rate than the other two methods. In view of this, we recommend that marsupialization or silver nitrate be preferred, especially in the treatment of recurrent cases., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest No conflict of interest was declared by the authors., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To present a case of vulvar myoma and the factors differentiating this tumor from Bartholin's cyst., Case Report: A 50-year-old woman presented with a nodule over the left labia majora. Pelvic examination showed swelling and redness of the left labia majora. A 2-cm nodule with firm consistency was found near the vaginal opening. There was no inguinal lymphadenopathy. Bartholin's cyst was suggested, and oral cephalexin was prescribed for 1 week, but no improvement was seen. Therefore, she underwent excision of the nodule. Pathology revealed it to be a benign vulvar myoma. The patient recovered well, and no recurrence was noted after 2 months of follow-up., Conclusion: Vulvar myoma is rare. Sexual history, nodule consistency, and imaging are helpful, but the final diagnosis of vulvar myoma is usually made following surgical excision and histopathological analysis., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no conflicts of interest relevant to this article., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

We report the case of a 46-year-old woman who presented with a tumor on the left labium majus in the region of the Bartholin gland. Surgical excision revealed a mucinous adenocarcinoma of intestinal-type (CK20 + , CDX-2 + ). Magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography of the chest and abdomen and colonoscopy ruled out the presence of other tumors. A second immunohistochemical study showed negative results for GATA-3, mammaglobin and GCDFP-15. Molecular analysis revealed a mutation in exon 2 of the KRAS gene. We discuss its differential diagnosis and the importance of being aware of this unusual variant of a mucinous adenocarcinoma the Bartholin gland., (Copyright © 2021 Sociedad Española de Anatomía Patológica. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Study Objective: Bartholin's gland abscess may occur in up to 2% of the women. Surgical drainage using the Word catheter application or marsupialization is the treatment of choice in the management of Bartholin's gland abscess. We aimed to compare the abscess recurrence rates between these 2 surgical methods., Design: A retrospective cohort database study., Setting: A university-affiliated, high-volume teaching hospital in southern Israel., Patients: All women who were surgically treated for Bartholin's gland abscess., Interventions: Different clinical and postoperative characteristics were retrieved from the patients' records. A univariate analysis was conducted, and p <.05 was considered significant., Measurements and Main Results: During the study period, 321 women were admitted to our center with Bartholin's gland abscess and were managed surgically. Of these, 215 (67%) were treated using the Word catheter and 106 (33%) by drainage and marsupialization. No differences were found in clinical and microbiologic features between the study groups. In addition, recurrence rates as well as recurrent admissions did not differ significantly. Postoperative complications were similar between the groups., Conclusion: Our study reassures that both the Word catheter application and marsupialization are appropriate and safe when treating Bartholin's gland abscess., (Copyright © 2021 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Primary Bartholin gland carcinoma (BGC) is an extremely rare disease. It typically presents in elderly women. It can be confused with Bartholin gland cyst, which is a benign condition leading to a delay in diagnosis and treatment. We are presenting a case report of BGC in a 35-year-old woman, which has created a diagnostic as well as therapeutic dilemma., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2020. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Bartholin gland abscesses are common problems in women and their management represents a mainstay of gynecology. Various treatment methods have been described. We present a technique performed under local anesthesia, without hospitalization or postoperative care. As part of a minimally invasive approach, this procedure promotes therapeutic de-escalation, has high patient acceptance, improves clinical outcomes and reduces costs. The procedure is highlighted through an instructive video article which standardizes the essential steps, to make the technique ergonomics and easy to perform (step-by-step explanation)., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: In this case report we present a case of endometriosis in the Bartholin gland without surgery in the perineal area. So far, only five cases concerning endometriosis in the Bartholin gland, which may or may not be an isolated finding, have been reported in the literature., Case Presentation: A 31-year-old Indo-surinamese woman with primary infertility presented at our out-patient clinic with cyclical vulvar pain. On gynecological examination, a cyst of 1 × 2 cm was found in the right gland of Bartholin. A transvaginal ultrasound revealed normal gynecological anatomy and did not reveal any contributing information. Due to the recurring pain of the cyst, surgery was scheduled. During surgery, the marsupialization of the cyst resulted in drainage of a chocolate-colored fluid. Pathological examination revealed stroma lined with non-typical columnar epithelium with hemosiderin pigments, which confirmed a diagnosis of endometriosis in the Bartholin gland., Conclusion: Our findings revealed a case of endometriosis outside the pelvis, without any deep intraperitoneal involvement. So far, only five cases concerning endometriosis in the Bartholin gland, which may or may not be an isolated finding, have been reported in literature.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of electrosurgery fulguration as a treatment for Bartholin's gland cysts. Retrospective study with a comparative control group performed on Hospital Brigadeiro and in the Disciplina de Ginecologia do Departamento de Obstetrícia e Ginecologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo from February 2005 to March 2009. Patients: Patients with Bartholin's gland cyst were divided into three treatment groups: group 1 electrosurgery (n=169 cases); group 2 - gland excision with the conventional technique using a cold scalpel (n = 51 cases); group 3 - marsupialization (n=11 cases). We reviewed the clinical and surgical history, physical examination, description of the surgical technique, postoperative results (success and complications), and follow-up data., Results: There is no difference between groups in relation to intraoperative bleeding, hematoma, and complete healing in a single treatment session. However, electrosurgery shows the lower percentage of recurrences 18 (10,7%) compared to the Marsupialization technique (group 3, p=.031). Recurrences occurred in 18 (10,7%), 3 (5,9%), and 4 (36,4%) cases. After retreatment by the same technique, there was a complete cure rate of 90% (152/169) for group 1, and 98% (50/51) for group 2. The cost of group 1 was lower than that of other groups., Conclusion: The fulguration with electrosurgery of the capsule of Bartholin's cyst is an effective method of treatment, andthe cost of this technique is lower than the conventional technique and marsupialization.

Background: Extrauterine leiomyomata is an uncommon lesion that can lead to several problems of differential diagnosis, especially when localized in the external genitalia. There are few reports in the English literature and a novel association with Alport's syndrome has been investigated since the 1980s., Case Presentation: Here, we describe the case of a premenopausal woman who presented with an indolent swelling of the right interlabial fossa that resulted in a Bartholin cyst. In addition to this cyst, a benign leiomyoma of the right side of the clitoris was also found and removed. Our patient refused any further examination, although she was informed that genetic counselling could be organized to rule out an association with Alport's syndrome., Conclusions: Extrauterine leiomyomata localized in the external genitalia is an uncommon lesion arising from smooth muscle cells around vascular epithelium or erectile tissue. Since an association between extrauterine leiomyomata and Alport's syndrome has been described, genetic testing can be proposed to these patients. Upper intestinal tract symptoms such as dysphagia should prompt a gastroenterological evaluation as an association with an esophageal leiomyomatosis has been described.

Background: No consensus on the management of symptomatic cysts or abscesses of the Bartholin's gland exists., Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and safety of surgical interventions for a symptomatic Bartholin's cyst or abscess., Search Strategy: We searched bibliographical databases from inception to April 2019., Selection Criteria: Randomised trials evaluating a surgical intervention for the treatment of a symptomatic Bartholin's cyst or abscess., Data Collection and Analysis: Eight trials, reporting data from 699 women, were included. Study characteristics and methodological quality were recorded for each trial. Summary estimates were calculated using random-effects methods., Main Results: When considering the recurrence of a symptomatic Bartholin's cyst or abscess, the evidence was consistent with notable effects in either direction (risk ratio [RR] 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.41-1.40) when comparing marsupialisation with incision, drainage and insertion of a Word catheter. Limited inference could be made when comparing marsupialisation with incision, drainage and silver nitrate insertion (RR 1.00; 95% CI 0.57-1.75), and incision, drainage and cavity closure (RR 0.25; 95% CI 0.01-4.89). There was limited reporting of secondary outcomes, including haematoma, infectious morbidity and persistent dyspareunia., Conclusions: Current randomised trial evidence does not support the use of any single surgical intervention for the treatment of a symptomatic cyst or abscess of the Bartholin's gland., Prospective Registration: PROSPERO: International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; CRD42018088553., Tweetable Abstract: Further research is needed to identify an effective treatment for #Bartholin's cyst or abscess. @jamesmnduffy., (© 2019 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.)

Introduction: Bartholin's gland abscesses cause severe pain and are a source of frequent emergency room visits. The most widespread treatment in France is incision-drainage during hospitalisation. A Word catheter, whose efficiency and safety would be identical, could be used without the need for hospitalisation, thus reducing the costs of Bartholin's gland abscess management., Design: Retrospective cohort study., Setting: French hospital (PMSI) database 2016-2017., Population: 3539 women with Bartholin's gland abscess., Method: From the PMSI database, we identified the population that was treated for incision-drainage of a Bartholin's gland abscess in 2016. We also looked for secondary hospitalisations occurring within 12 months of initial treatment of Bartholin's gland abscess using 2016 and 2017 PMSI database data., Main Outcome(s): The identified population was described in terms of age, hospitalisation, length of stay and readmissions within 12 months and provided a 5-year budget impact analysis of the use of the Word catheter in France from a National Health Insurance perspective., Results: In 2016, 3539 women (36 +/- 11.8 years) were hospitalised for 3646 incisions of the major vestibular gland linked to a Bartholin's gland abscess. 11.38 % (403/3,539) underwent at least one new Bartholin's gland procedure during the following year. The use of the Word catheter would allow potential savings over 5 years of €7.4 million., Conclusion: The use of the Word catheter could be cost-saving. These results must be validated by a clinical research step evaluating efficiency in the French context, comparing the Word catheter and incision-drainage side-by-side., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The present study was performed to explore the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the Bartholin's gland., Methods: The clinical data of a case of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the Bartholin's gland were examined, and the clinical manifestation, diagnosis, and treatment were analyzed., Results: Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the Bartholin's gland has a low incidence. The main clinical manifestations are vulvar lumps, dyspareunia, pain, itching, and bleeding. The diagnosis is based on gynecological examination and pathological biopsy, and the treatment is mainly surgical excision., Conclusion: Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the Bartholin's gland is rare and lacks specificity. Pathological biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis, and surgical resection should be performed for treatment.

There is no consensus regarding the best surgical modality for the treatment of Bartholin's gland abscess. The aim of the study was to evaluate the risk factors associated with the recurrent referral of the emergency room (ER) following surgical treatment for a Bartholin's gland abscess. A retrospective cohort study was done. Clinical and microbiological characteristics were retrieved from the patients' hospital records. A univariate analysis was followed using multiple logistic regression model. During the study period, 320 women were managed surgically, of those 54 (37.0%) had had a recurrent referral to the ER. The rate of positive previous cultured abscesses was significantly higher among patients with a recurrent referral to the ER (66.7% vs. 51.3%, p value < .05). The mode of a previous abscess drainage (Word catheterisation or marsupialisation) was not associated with recurrent referral to the ER or with recurrent hospitalisation. The possible association between positive cultures and recurrence warrants re-consideration of routine antimicrobial administration for Bartholin's gland abscess.IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? A recurrence of a Bartholin's gland abscess following surgical treatment varies greatly and there is no consensus regarding the best surgical modality for treatment. None of the studies have examined a recurrent referral to the emergency room (ER) as a primary outcome. What do the results of this study add? Our study strengthens previous studies and reassures that recurrence is not associated with surgical modality. Specifically, a recurrent referral to the ER and hospitalisation were not found to be associated with surgical modality, both which may be attributed to various reasons other than the recurrence of the abscess. An association was found between positive culture results and a recurrent referral to the ER. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The association found that positive results warrant further larger studies in order to determine which of the patients may benefit from antibiotic treatment in addition to the surgical treatment.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the Bartholin's gland (BACC) is an extremely rare malignancy of the vulva. The characteristics of BACC include slow tumor growth and aggressive invasion, especially with perineural involvement. A 64-year-old Japanese woman complained of a mass and pain in the perineum. A 3 cm-sized mass was palpated inside of the labia majora. Diagnostic imaging demonstrated the tumor invading the anus and urethra. The patient underwent total pelvic exenteration with radical vulvectomy. Pathological findings revealed that the tumor was BACC. The surgical margin was positive for tumor cells, which necessitated adjuvant radiotherapy. No serious complications were associated with the surgery and radiotherapy. There is no clear consensus on to the proper surgical intervention in BACC. Achieving tumor-free surgical margins is desired to avoid recurrence. However, such attempts have often failed in reported BACC cases with extended surgical resection. Nevertheless, given the aggressive nature of BACC, extensive surgery including total pelvic exenteration is justified, particularly with promising reported efficacy of adjuvant radiotherapy on BACC prognosis.

Objectives: To assess the methods used to manage Bartholin gland abscesses and cysts in French university hospitals., Method: Data for this descriptive, cross-sectional study with self-reported data were collected between January and March 2018 by an online questionnaire. The 11 items of the questionnaire assessed the surgical techniques known and used, the type of hospitalization, and the non-surgical management to treat Bartholin gland abscesses and cysts., Results: Overall, 116 obstetrics-gynecology residents responded to the online questionnaire. The three best-known techniques were incision and drainage, marsupialization, and excision of the Bartholin gland. Only 3% of the physicians knew about other techniques. Most participants reported that their unit treated 2-6 Bartholin gland abscesses monthly and fewer than 2 cysts. The most frequent treatment for abscess was incision-drainage (87%), followed by marsupialization (13%). The most widely used treatment for the cysts was gland excision (68.5%) followed by marsupialization (22.5%). In both cases, management generally took place on an outpatient basis (92.9%)., Conclusion: This study showed that 87% of the respondents used incision-drainage for Bartholin gland abscesses, although the recurrence and complication rates of this technique have never been evaluated., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The Bartholin glands, located in the base of the labia minora, have a role in vaginal lubrication. Because of the presence of other glands, removal of a Bartholin gland does not affect lubrication. Ductal blockage of these typically pea-sized structures can result in enlargement of the gland and subsequent development of Bartholin duct cysts or gland abscesses. Two percent of women will develop a cyst or an abscess in their lifetime, and physicians should be familiar with the range of treatment options. Bartholin duct cysts and gland abscesses can be treated in the office. The healing and recurrence rates are similar among fistulization, marsupialization, and silver nitrate and alcohol sclerotherapy. Needle aspiration and incision and drainage, the two simplest procedures, are not recommended because of the relatively increased recurrence rate.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the sexual functionality before and after treatment of Bartholin's gland diseases (BGD) with CO 2 laser and to compare our results to patients who underwent surgical cold knife and to a healthy control group (HCG). Consecutive patients (n = 15) affected by BG cyst or abscess who underwent CO 2 laser treatment were evaluated. Patients were asked to complete the Italian translation of the Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI) before and 4 weeks after treatment. Results after CO 2 laser were compared with two control groups: patients affected by BG cyst (n = 15) or abscess treated with surgical cold knife treatment and a HCG (n = 18). A statistically significant advantage of CO 2 laser versus cold knife treatment in terms of lubrication, pain and global score were recorded. Both the single scores of five domains and total score of FSFI were globally higher after any treatment compared to before (CO 2 and cold knife) of BGD. According to our data, CO 2 laser therapy is often well tolerated by patients and correlated with a favorable sexual health recovery.

For women who present with Bartholin's abscesses, placement of a Word catheter offers a minimally invasive approach for effective management in urgent care and emergency department settings. Although the procedure is relatively simple, the frequency of placement in the ED setting varies. Provider familiarity with both the device and the procedure can be enhanced using simulation techniques. This article presents the diagnostic and treatment approaches to Bartholin's abscesses and describes in detail both low- and high-fidelity simulations for Word catheter placements.

Objective: To compare sexual function scores in patients who had marsupialization and gland excision procedures for the treatment of Bartholin gland abscesses., Study Design: Patients who had bartholin abscess for the first time were randomized into marsupialization or gland excision methods. The primary outcome was to compare post surgical Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores between the marsupialization group and the excision group. Secondary outcomes were to calculate the recurrence rates and other postoperative complications after the surgery., Results: 195 women were evaluated for the treatment of Bartholin abscess and 154 of them were included in our study. The final analysis was carried out on 134 participants. There was no statistically significant difference among the study groups in terms of age, BMI, gravidity, parity, site of the abscess, and diameter of the abscess. The mean diameter of the abscess was not significantly different among patients who had dyspareunia (4 ± 1.34 cm) and did not have dyspareunia (3.39 ± 0.99 cm). No recurrence was observed in the gland excision group while 5 patients had a recurrence of the abscess in the marsupialization group. Dyspareunia after the procedure was more common in patients who underwent marsupialization (2.9% vs 15.1%, p = 0.01). The FSFI scores were <26.5 in both treatment groups. The total score was 24.76 ± 4.32 in the excision group and was 22.33 ± 5.15 in the marsupialization group., Conclusion: The excision of the gland for treating the Bartholin abscess resulted in less dyspareunia and recurrence when compared to the marsupialization procedure. Lower FSFI scores were reported in both groups, however, FSFI scores in the excision group were higher than in the marsupialization group. The excision of the Bartholin gland did not hamper sexual function., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Rationale: Neuraxial anesthesia is a commonly used type of regional anesthesia. Cauda equina syndrome is an unusual and severe complication of neuraxial anesthesia, and is caused by damage to the sacral roots of the neural canal. We present a case of cauda equina syndrome following spinal anesthesia in a patient who underwent Bartholin abscess drainage., Patient Concerns: A 23-year old female scheduled to undergo surgical drainage of Bartholin abscess. Spinal anesthesia was performed with bupivacaine and fentanyl. There were no perioperative adverse events reported. On postoperative day 1, the patient went to the emergency department describing bilateral weakness and pain of the lower extremities (LE)., Diagnoses: Lumbar magnetic resonance imaging showed increased gadolinium accumulation in the neural sheath at the level of the cauda equina tracts, consistent with the diagnosis of arachnoiditis and the diagnosis of cauda equina was established., Interventions: The patient received the following emergent treatment: 75 mg pregabalin (oral) every 12 hours, 20 mg (8 drops) tramadol (oral) every 8 hours, and 4 mg dexamethasone (intravenous) every 6 hours. On postoperative day 4, the patient still experienced bilateral flaccid paraparesis (accentuated in the left side), neuropathic pain in low extremities, and left brachial monoparesis. Hence, dexamethasone was instantly replaced with 1 g methylprednisolone (intravenous) for 5 days., Outcomes: After completing 5 days of methylprednisolone, on postoperative day 9, the patient experienced less pain in left extremities, osteotendinous reflexes were slightly diminished, and she was able to walk with difficulty for 3 to 5 minutes. Greater mobility was evidenced, with right proximal and distal low extremities Medical Research Council Scale grades of 2 and 3 and left proximal and distal low extremities Medical Research Council Scale grades 1 and 2, respectively. Oral prednisone was restarted. Consequently, she was discharged home in stable conditions on postoperative day 25 with a prescription for sertraline, clonazepam, pregabalin, paracetamol, and prednisone., Lesson: The early detection and treatment of complications after neuraxial anesthesia is essential to minimize the risk of permanent damage.

Objective: Some sections of the pelvic bone can be removed without severe loss of function, including the inferior pubic ramus. Here we report a technique for the complete resection of locally advanced adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the Bartholin's gland that had invaded the obturator muscle and inferior pubic ramus., Methods: We chose to operate because there was little evidence of definitive radiotherapy for ACC of the vulva. As preoperative imaging did not suggest lymph node metastasis, we omitted lymphadenectomy. The perineal incision was made to obtain at least a 2-cm margin of the normal tissue around the tumor at the lateral side. The histologic margin was based on head and neck data as this disease presents more commonly in that part of the body. Pelvic reconstruction was performed using the gracilis myocutaneous flap, and the ileal conduit reservoir and sigmoid stoma was constructed., Results: Total pelvic excenteration with resection of the inferior ramus was performed. As the actual margin distance was >2cm, postoperative radiotherapy was not needed. As a part of her surveillance regimen, MRI was performed every 6months and CT of the chest was performed annually. One year postoperatively, she is alive with no evidence of disease. During the last follow-up, she did not have any major complications in daily life. If anything, she cannot run., Conclusions: Understanding that the inferior pubic ramus can be resected without severe functional loss will increase treatment choice. We achieved complete resection of locally advanced ACC of the Bartholin's gland., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective(s): To study the clinical and bacterial characteristic of Bartholin gland abscesses during pregnancy and the obstetric and neonatal outcomes., Study Design: Retrospective cohort study of all patients with surgical treatment of Bartholin gland abscesses between 2004 and 2015 in our university center. Clinical and bacterial characteristics between pregnant and non-pregnant women were compared., Results: During the period study, 156 patients were included (40 pregnant and 116 non pregnant). The incidence of Bartholin gland abscesses during pregnancy was 0.13%. Eight (20%) abscesses occurred in the first, 18 (45%) in the second, 11 (47.5%) in the third trimester and 3 (7.5%) in the post-partum course. No severe perineal and neonatal infections occurred during pregnancy. One late miscarriage and one preterm delivery were observed. We found more multiparity in the pregnant woman group than in non-pregnant women (62.5% versus 45%, p<0.05). A history of Bartholin gland abscesses were also more frequent in pregnant women (55% versus 30.1%, p<0.05). First line antibiotic therapy was more frequent in non-pregnant women (20% versus 45%, p<0.05). The rate of positive culture did not differ between the two groups (70% versus 55.2%). Among negative pus cultures, no patient in the pregnant woman group had received a first line antibiotic therapy, in contrast with non-pregnant women (0% versus 25%, p<0.05). E. coli was the most common pathogen in the two groups (48.9% of positive cultures and 28.2% of the overall population). The distribution of bacterial taxa was not different between the two groups., Conclusion: Bacterial characteristics did not differ from non-pregnant women. Pregnancy could increase the occurrence of Bartholin gland abscesses in patients with previous surgical treatment of abscesses. When appropriate management is applied, maternal and neonatal outcomes are favorable, and severe infections are not to be expected., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To compare recurrence of a cyst or abscess of the Bartholin gland after surgical treatment using a Word catheter or marsupialisation., Design: Multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial., Setting: Eighteen hospitals in the Netherlands and one hospital in England., Population: Women with a symptomatic cyst or abscess of the Bartholin gland., Methods: Women were randomised to treatment with Word catheter or marsupialisation., Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was recurrence of the cyst or abscess within 1 year of treatment. The secondary outcomes included pain during and after treatment (measured on a 10-point scale), use of analgesics, and time from diagnosis to treatment. Analysis was by intention-to-treat. To assess whether marsupialisation would reduce the recurrence rate by 5% (from 20 to 15%) we needed to include 160 women (alpha error 0.05, beta error 0.2)., Results: One hundred and sixty-one women were randomly allocated to treatment by Word catheter (n = 82) or marsupialisation (n = 79) between August 2010 and May 2014. Baseline characteristics were comparable. Recurrence occurred in 10 women (12%) allocated to Word catheter versus eight women (10%) allocated to marsupialisation: relative risk (RR) 1.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64-1.91; P = 0.70. Pain scores after treatment were also comparable. In the first 24 hours after treatment, 33% used analgesics in the Word catheter group versus 74% in the marsupialisation group (P < 0.001). Time from diagnosis to treatment was 1 hour for placement of Word catheter versus 4 hours for marsupialisation (P = 0.001)., Conclusions: In women with an abscess or cyst of the Bartholin gland, treatment with Word catheter and marsupialisation results in comparable recurrence rates., Tweetable Abstract: Comparable recurrence rates for treatment of Bartholinic abscess/cyst with Word catheter and marsupialisation., (© 2016 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.)

Primary adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of Bartholin's gland is a rare gynecologic malignancy. We report a case of locally advanced ACC of Bartholin's gland. A 62-year-old presented with left Bartholin's gland carcinoma and underwent left radical vulvectomy, left-sided inguinal-femoral lymph node dissection, posterior pelvic exenteration, and pedicle abdominal muscle flap. On her 3 months follow-up exam she was disease free.Pelvic exenteration for thetreatment of this rare disease in the vulva is a potential curative option.

Purpose: The treatment of Bartholin's gland cysts by traditional surgery is characterized by some disadvantages and complications such as hemorrhage, postoperative dyspareunia, infections, necessity for a general anesthesia. Contrarily, CO2 laser surgery might be less invasive and more effective as it solves many problems of traditional surgery. The aim of our study is to describe CO2 laser technique evaluating its feasibility, complication rate and results vs traditional surgery., Methods: Among patients treated for Bartholin's gland cyst, we enrolled 62 patients comparing traditional surgical excision vs CO2 laser surgery of whom 27 patients underwent traditional surgery, whereas 35 patients underwent CO2 laser surgery. Mean operative time, complication rate, recurrence rate and short- and long-term outcomes were assessed., Results: The procedures required a mean operative time of 9 ± 5.3 min for CO2 laser surgery and 42.2 ± 13.8 for traditional surgery. Two patients (5.7 %) needed an hemostatic suture for intraoperative bleeding in the laser CO2 laser technique against 14.8 % for traditional surgery. Carbon dioxide allows a complete healing in a mean time of 22 days without scarring, hematomas or wound infections and a return to daily living in a mean time of 2 days. Instead, patients undergone traditional surgery required a mean time of 14 days to return to daily life with a healing mean time completed in 28 days., Conclusions: The minimum rate of intra- and post-operative complications, the ability to perform it under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting make CO2 laser surgery more cost-effective than traditional surgery.

Objective: To describe the results of treatment with CO2 laser for Bartholin gland cysts., Methods: Thirty-one women with Bartholin gland cysts were treated with CO2laser at an outpatient´s setting. Skin incision was performed with focused laser beam, the capsule was opened to drain mucoid content, followed by internal vaporization of impaired capsule., Results: There were no complications. Five patients had recurrence of the cyst and were submitted to a second and successful session., Conclusion: CO2 laser surgery was effective to treat Bartholin gland cysts with minimal or no complications, and can be performed at an outpatient´s setting.

Objective: Bartholin's cysts and abscesses occur in about 2% of women. None of the surgical or conservative treatment approaches have been proven to be superior. The Word catheter is an outpatient treatment option, but little is known about aspects of implementing this therapy in an office setting. The present study's focus is on recurrence rates and organizational requirements of implementing outpatient treatment of Bartholin's cyst and abscess and compares costs of Word catheter treatment and marsupialization., Study Design: Between March 2013 and May 2014 30 women were included in the study. We measured time consumed for treatment and follow-up and analyzed costs using the Word catheter and marsupialization under general anesthesia. We also assessed the ease of use of the Word catheter for application and removal using a standardized visual analog scale (VAS 1-10)., Results: Word catheter treatment was successful in 26/30 cases (87%). Balloon loss before the end of the 4-week treatment period occurred in 11/26 cases with a mean residence time of 19.1 (±10.0) days. None of the patients with early catheter loss developed recurrent cyst or abscess. Recurrence occurred in 1/26 cases (3.8%). Difficulty-score of application was 2 [1-10] and of removal 1 [1], respectively. Costs were € 216 for the treatment in the clinic as compared with € 1584/€ 1282 for surgical marsupialization with a one-night stay or daycare clinic, respectively., Conclusions: The present study indicates that the Word catheter is an easy to handle, low cost outpatient procedure with acceptable short-term recurrence rates. Treatment costs are seven times lower than for marsupialization., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Cysts and abscesses of the Bartholin glands are a common occurrence in gynecologic or general practice. Little is known about restrictions in patient's daily life and sexual activity during treatment of Bartholin's cysts in general and especially with the Word catheter. This study is to assess the Quality of Life and Sexual Activity during treatment of Bartholin cyst's and abscesses with the Word-catheter., Study Design: Between March 2013 and May 2014 30 women were included in the study. Pain before treatment and during catheter insertion and removal was assed using a standardized VAS scale. Health-related quality of life was assessed with the Short-Form-12-Health-Survey. Fallowfield's Sexual Activity Questionnaire was administered to investigate sexual limitations. During treatment patient self-reported to a pain-diary (VAS 0-10)., Results: Pain levels decreased from a 3 [0-10] on day 1 to 0 [0-6] on day 6 with the median staying at 0 for the remaining treatment period. Discomfort and pain during sexual activity decreased significantly from initial presentation to end of treatment. The mental component summary score of the SF 12 increased significantly from 46.94±10.23 before treatment to 50.58±7.16 after treatment (p=0.016); the physical component summary score did not change significantly., Conclusions: The Word catheter is well tolerated for the treatment of Bartholin's cysts and abscesses with few and no serious side effects and little impingement of sexual health. A more relevant informed consent ahead of treatment, specifically with regard to pain in the first few days after catheter placement, might further increase acceptance of the catheter and adjust patient expectations., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Traditional surgery presents some disadvantages, such as the necessity for general anesthesia, hemorrhage, recurrence of pathology, and the possible onset of dyspareunia due to an excessive scarring. CO2 laser surgery might resolve these problems and might be employed in a wider range of clinical indications than usual. We examined the results of CO2 laser surgery in patients affected by benign pathologies and congenital malformations of the female lower genital tract., Patients and Methods: In this observational study, we enrolled 49 women who underwent CO2 laser surgery for the following indications: Bartholin's gland cyst, imperforate hymen, vaginal septum, Nabothian cyst, and vaginal polyps. Feasibility, cost-effectiveness, complication rate, recurrence rate, short- and long-term outcomes were assessed., Results: All procedures were carried out in a short operative time, without any intraoperative complications. Only 1 (2.0%) out of 49 patients required a hemostatic suture for bleeding. Postoperative period was uneventful in all patients, except 6 (12.2%) out of 49 patients who reported pain one day after surgery, successfully treated with paracetamol. Healing was rapid and excellent in all cases; no wound infection, scarring or stenosis were noticed. Preoperative symptoms reduced or disappeared in all cases. No recurrence was observed and no re-intervention was needed., Conclusions: CO2 laser surgery provides several advantages over traditional surgery, as its systematic use in treating pre-invasive, benign, and congenital pathologies of the female lower genital tract reduces patient discomfort, improves short- and long-term outcomes, and optimizes cost-effectiveness.

Bartholin's duct cysts, the most common growths in the vulva, occur in the labia majora. The cyst may become infected, and an abscess may develop in the gland. Rectovaginal fistula is a rare complication and its formation is secondary to Bartholin's cyst; only 4 cases have been reported in the literature so far. In this case, the fistula was located between the rectum and a Bartholin's duct, rather than the vagina and the rectum. We present the first case of a recto-Bartholin's duct fistula, performed surgical excision and fistulectomy. Postoperative treatment with antibiotics resulted in the complete resolution of all lesions at the 3-month follow-up., (© 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

The most frequent disorders of the Bartholin glands are cysts or abscesses. Bartholin gland abscesses occur generally as a result of polymicrobial infections or agents that cause sexually transmitted diseases. But as far as we know, no parasite has been previously reported among the infectious agents that are detected from the abscesses of the Bartholin gland. Here, we report a 45-year-old woman, in the Bartholin abscess aspirate of whom Enterobius vermicularis eggs were detected in between the inflammatory infiltrate by cytological examination., (© 2013 The Authors. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research © 2013 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

Several benign, premalignant, and malignant lesions may arise on the vulva, and multiple types of procedures may be used to diagnose and treat these conditions. Punch and shave biopsies may be used to diagnose most vulvar conditions, but lesions suspected of being melanomas may best be diagnosed with narrow-margin excisional biopsies. Bartholin gland cysts and abscesses may be treated with several different treatment modalities, the most common of which are fistulization and marsupialization. Genital warts may be treated with several medical and surgical modalities to relieve symptoms., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Tumors arising from glands of the female ano-genital area, such as minor and major vestibular glands, are very rare. Lesions affecting Bartholin's gland can be divided into two groups: benign and malignant lesions. In the first group we can include nodular hyperplasia, adenoma, adenomioma which can sometimes cause Bartholin's gland enlargement and difficult differential diagnosis. Surgery is considered the treatment of choice, frequently represented by marsupialization with rates of local recurrence., Case Report: We describe a case of a 50-year-old woman with a several-years history of recurrent episodes of Bartholinitis, previously treated with marsupialization. Patient underwent complete excision of the left Bartholin's gland without operative complications. Pathological findings showed a Bartholin's gland hyperplasia. Post-operative course was regular, free from surgical complications. After one year, the patient is free from any local disease., Results and Conclusion: In women in postmenopausal age, in those cases in which marsupialization doesn't lead to an improvement in symptomatology and in those cases in which, at physical examination, Bartholin's gland enlargement appeared to be firm and irregular, because of the higher incidence of malignancy in these situations, total excision of the gland is recommended. Total excision of the Bartholin's Gland is a safe technique, given the low incidence of procedure- related morbilities. We do not consider biopsy of the gland a proper strategy for the high percentage of false negative results.

Objective: To estimate the incidence of Bartholin duct cysts and abscesses in the Republic of Korea during 2009., Methods: A national patient sample (n=599 186) was obtained from Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service data and analyzed to estimate the incidence of Bartholin duct cysts and abscesses among Korean women in 2009., Results: There were 587 Bartholin duct cysts and 757 Bartholin duct abscesses during 2009. The total incidence of Bartholin duct cysts and abscesses was 0.55 per 1000 person-years and 0.95 per 1000 person-years, respectively. In women aged 35-50 years, the incidence was 1.21 per 1000 person-years and 1.87 per 1000 person-years, respectively. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the incidence of Bartholin duct cysts and abscesses was associated with age (P<0.01), but not with season or socioeconomic status, among women aged 15-50 years. The main operation performed was marsupialization (45.2%) for Bartholin duct cysts and incision (71.5%) for Bartholin duct abscesses., Conclusion: The incidence of Bartholin duct cysts and abscesses increased with age until menopause, decreasing thereafter., (Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.)

There are limited reports in the literature about Bartholin's gland leiomyoma, mainly due to its rare occurrence. This case report describes a 56-year-old woman presenting with a lump in her vulva. The initial suspicion was that of a Bartholin's gland carcinoma based on her clinical signs and symptoms. The mass was excised and the histopathology report described a leiomyoma. Differentiating between benign and malignant tumors by inspection alone can pose a diagnostic dilemma. There are no clear management guidelines but some authorities recommend that enlarged Bartholin's gland in postmenopausal women should be completely excised so as to exclude adenocarcinoma of the gland. However, other case reports and reviews have tried to justify an initial biopsy before considering complete excision to avoid unnecessary intervention in women whose biopsy confirms a benign lesion. In the case described, surgical excision was necessary and beneficial to the patient to provide symptom control., (© 2012 The Authors. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research © 2012 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

Background: Rectovaginal fistula is a rare complication of inflammatory bowel disease, obstetric trauma, pelvic surgery, radiation, and trauma. We present a rectovaginal fistula occurring after an excision of a Bartholin gland., Case: A healthy 43-year-old woman presented with flatus per vagina immediately after a Bartholin gland excision. She had a history of recurrent Bartholin abscess and had undergone multiple incision and drainage procedures of this cyst over the past 6 years. On rectovaginal examination, the patient was found to have a rectovaginal fistula and subsequently underwent successful transvaginal repair., Conclusion: Rectovaginal fistula can occur after excision of a Bartholin gland. This case report illustrates a rare and serious complication to a commonly performed gynecologic procedure.

Objective: To evaluate the clinicopathological characteristics and treatment of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the Bartholin gland., Methods: The clinicopathological data of six patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the Bartholin gland were retrospectively analyzed. The median age was 40.8 years (range 30 to 54 years). Surgery was the primary treatment. Simple vulvar tumor resection was performed in 1 patient. Four cases underwent radical vulvectomy with bilateral inguinal lymph node dissection and 1 case underwent wide local excision of the vulva with bilateral inguinal lymph node biopsy. Two cases with high risk factors received postoperative radiotherapy., Results: All patients had definite pathological diagnosis. Cribriform arrangement of tubules and gland-like elements and infiltration of perineural spaces were two main microscopic features of this type of tumor. The pathological examination after surgery revealed that two patients had positive surgical margins, one had negative margin, 1 adjacent to the tumor and 1 unknown; 5 cases had negative inguinal lymph nodes and 1 unknown. All the 6 patients were followed-up. Recurrence developed in 4 cases including 3 with both local recurrence and lung metastasis, and one had lung metastasis only. One patient died of lung metastasis and her total survival period was 135 months. The other 3 recurrent patients survived with tumor and the total survival period was 241, 128 and 103 months, respectively. Two cases without recurrence survived 8 and 121 months, respectively., Conclusion: Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the Bartholin gland is a slow growing but locally very aggressive neoplasm with a high capacity for local recurrence and lung metastasis. Surgery is the most common and useful treatment. Radiation is a choice of treatment for patients with high risk factors after surgery such as positive surgical margin, deep local invasion and infiltration of perineural spaces or for recurrent patients without opportunity of excision.