Bartholin Cyst Surgery: Before Your Surgery

What is Bartholin cyst surgery?

Bartholin cysts are fluid-filled sacs in your Bartholin gland. These glands are located on each side of the vaginal opening. They can become infected and form an abscess, or sac of pus. If a cyst is infected, large, or painful, your doctor may need to cut a small hole in the cyst to let fluid drain.

You may also have other procedures to treat the cyst:

Word catheter.

The doctor makes a small cut in the cyst. This cut is called an incision. Then the doctor puts a small rubber tube, called a catheter, in the incision. The catheter keeps the area open so fluid can drain out of it. This treatment can be done in the doctor's office. The doctor will numb your vulva so you feel less pain. Your doctor will take out the catheter after several weeks.

Marsupialization.

The doctor makes a small incision in the cyst. Then the doctor puts a few stitches on either side of the incision. Fluid from your cyst drains out of this small, permanent opening. This treatment is often done in an operating room of a hospital or surgery center. The doctor will numb your vulva so you feel less pain. And you may have general anesthesia.

Excision.

The doctor cuts out the entire cyst and sometimes the gland and duct. This is not done often. This is a more complex surgery. It is done in an operating room of a hospital or surgery center. The doctor will numb your vulva so you feel less pain. And you may have general anesthesia.

Most people go home the same day of surgery. You can expect to feel better each day. But you will probably need 2 to 4 weeks to recover. You may want to avoid sex until your vulva is healed.

Unless you had an excision surgery, it is possible for your cyst to come back. Some people need more than one surgery to permanently get rid of a cyst.