Incidence of Bartholin's duct occlusion after superficial localized vestibulectomy
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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
Vessel-sparing Excision and Primary Anastomosis
Published on: January 7, 2019
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
Objective:
The objective of the study was to analyze the incidence of occlusion of Bartholin's ducts after the procedure of superficial localized vestibulectomy for severe vulvar vestibulitis.
Study Design:
One hundred fifty-five women underwent modified superficial vestibulectomy for severe primary or secondary vestibulitis between 1989 and 2007. Charts were reviewed and data were calculated regarding occlusion of Bartholin's ducts. Database software was FileMaker Pro 5 (FileMaker, Inc, Santa Clara, CA). SPSS 16.0 (SPSS, Inc, Chicago, IL) calculated means.
Results:
Fourteen of 155 women (9%) had small blisters noted at a Bartholin's duct site after healing. Of these, 6 (43%) noted local symptoms related to sexual arousal. Surgical unroofing was attempted in 8 (62%) and corrected symptoms in all but 1. The subject with remaining symptoms notes deep pain with arousal suggestive of Bartholin's adenitis.
Conclusion:
The incidence of duct ostium occlusion after superficial modified vestibulectomy was 9%, and only half had symptoms. Methods of surgical treatment of the occlusion are compared.
