PREVALENCE, PATTERN OF PRESENTATION AND MANAGEMENT OF BARTHOLIN’S GLAND CYST/ABSCESS AT USMANU DANFODIO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, SOKOTO: A TEN YEAR REVIEW

*Ahmed Yabuku, Isah U. Mani, Abubakar A. Panti, Garba A. Jamila, Tukur D. Sagir, Rabiu F. Anas and Chappa M. Aliyu

ABSTRACT

Background: The Bartholin’s gland cysts and abscesses are one of the common vulva cyst or abscesses in gynaecological practice. Symptomatic cases give significant discomfort to affected individuals and have a negative impact on their quality of life. Aim of Study: The study was aimed at determining the prevalence, pattern of presentation and management of Bartholin’s gland cysts and abscesses at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto State. Material and Method: This was a ten-year retrospective study of cases of Bartholin’s gland cysts and abscesses that were managed at UDUTH from 1st January 2009 to 31st December 2018. Results: During the study period, there were 3,924 gynaecological surgical cases managed, among which 81 were Bartholin’s gland cysts and abscess (19 were cysts and 62 were abscesses) giving prevalence of 2.02%. The mean age of the patients was 26.3 ± 3.9 years with 44% of them being within the age range of 25 to 29 years. There was previous history of the condition in 52% of the cases. Previous history was the commonest risk factor that was found for the occurrence of Bartholin’s gland cyst or abscess and this was followed by previous history of sexually transmitted disease in 40% of the cases. Pain and swelling were the commonest presenting symptoms in 65.3% of cases. The left vulva was the commonest site affected as seen in 70.7% of the patients. Swab culture result were retrieved only in 30 patient and Escherichia coli was the commonest organism isolated in 86.7% of the cases. The disease presented commonly in form of abscess as observed in 58 (77.3%) of patients then cyst in 17(22.7%). All the patients had Marsupialisation as the modality of treatment. Conclusion: The prevalence of Bartholin’s gland cyst and abscess in this study was 2.02%. Left bartholin’s gland was the commonest site affected. Escheriria coli was the predominant organisms isolated among the cases managed during the years under review. Marsupialisation remains the mainstay of treatment in low resource setting.

Keywords: Batholins gland, cyst, abscess, Nigeria.