Management of bartholin cyst or abscess by foley’s catheter or marsupialization: a retrospective cohort study

Background and Objective: The Bartholin’s gland cysts and abscesses are one of the most common vulva cyst or abscesses in gynaecological practice. Symptomatic cases have a negative impact on their quality of life. Surgical drainage using the Word catheter application or marsupialization is the treatment of choice in the management of Bartholin’s gland abscess. The aim of the study was to compare the results of the patients who underwent Foley Catheter no. 8 or Marsupialization due to Bartholin cyst or abscesses. Material and Methods: A retrospective cohort study conducted in M.L.B. Medical College, Jhansi. All women aged above who suffered from Bartholin’s gland abscess between the years 2014 and 2023 and were treated by means of the Foley’s catheter no. 8 application or Marsupialization were included in the study. The surgical management is chosen according to each surgeon’s preference. Result: Out of 186 women, 121 (65.05%) were treated by the Foley’s catheter no. 8 application and 65 (34.95%) by Marsupialization. The mean age of the patients was 32.56±10.35yrs in the Marsupialization group and 30.10±11.33yrs in the Foley’s catheter no. 8 group. E.coli was the most common pathogen 40.58% in the Foley’s catheter no. 8 group while 26.47% in the Marsupialization group. Mean admission to discharge time in Foley Catheter no. 8 group 60-90 min in comparision to 24.5hr in Marsupialization group. Conclusion: Both the Word catheter application and marsupialization are appropriate and safe when treating Bartholin’s gland abscess. The duration of hospital stay is shortened in Foley Catheter group.