Surgical Treatment of Bartholin's Gland Abscess: Is Word Catheter Superior to Marsupialization?

Abstract

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.

Feasibility and Satisfaction With the Word Catheter in Treatment of Bartholin’s Cyst and Abscess

“…In a retrospective cohort study, Karsbük et al concluded that the Word catheter group had higher recurrence rates and dissatisfaction levels, with the only advantage being its shorter operation time (16). On the contrary, Rotem et al conducted a retrospective cohort database study and reported no differences in clinical and microbiological features, recurrence rates, recurrent admissions or postoperative complications between patients treated with Word catheters and those receiving marsupialization (17). Kroese et al initiated a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial and highlighted that in women with an abscess or cyst of the Bartholin gland, treatment with Word catheter and marsupialization resulted in comparable recurrence rates (18).…”

Hemorrhagic Bartholin’s cyst in a woman using anti-platelet medication: A case report and review of the literature

“…There is still controversy regarding the best treatment of a Bartholin’s cyst[ 4 , 6 , 30 ]. I&D, fistulization with a Word catheter, marsupialization, and excision of the cyst are all commonly performed procedures[ 31 , 32 ]. I&D is the simplest way to treat Bartholin’s cyst, and it has the shortest recovery time due to its simplicity.…”

“…But there was only limited evidence in this systematic review[ 6 ]. Among these interventions, fistulization with a Word catheter and marsupialization are the two most commonly applied procedures[ 31 , 33 ]. Previous studies reported that both interventions had comparable recurrence rates[ 31 , 33 ].…”

“…Among these interventions, fistulization with a Word catheter and marsupialization are the two most commonly applied procedures[ 31 , 33 ]. Previous studies reported that both interventions had comparable recurrence rates[ 31 , 33 ]. Also, a comparable postoperative complication rate was found among these two interventions[ 31 , 33 ].…”

“…Previous studies reported that both interventions had comparable recurrence rates[ 31 , 33 ]. Also, a comparable postoperative complication rate was found among these two interventions[ 31 , 33 ]. Intriguingly, a recent retrospective cohort study by Karabük and Ganime Aygün[ 34 ] demonstrated that marsupialization had a significantly lower recurrence rate than fistulization with a Word catheter (8.3% vs 18.8%; P = 0.034).…”