A successful management algorithm for vulvar abscess: A tertiary hospital experience

Area of Science:

• Gynecology
• Infectious Diseases
• Surgical Management

Background:

• Vulvar abscesses are a common gynecological condition requiring effective treatment strategies.
• Existing literature lacks a standardized algorithm for the management of vulvar abscesses.

Approach:

• A comprehensive literature review and a clinical study of 28 patients hospitalized with vulvar abscess between 2015 and 2019 were conducted.
• Data collected included patient demographics, medical history, abscess characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes.
• A treatment and management algorithm was developed based on these findings.

Key Points:

• The average patient age was 47.7 years, with diabetes mellitus being the most common comorbidity (60.7%).
• Spontaneous drainage occurred in 78.5% of cases, while 21.4% required incisional drainage.
• Primary antibiotic regimens included gentamicin + clindamycin or levofloxacin + metronidazole. Surgical drains were used for larger abscesses (>5 cm).

Conclusions:

• The developed treatment algorithm resulted in a 92.8% recovery rate with no recurrences.
• This study provides the first documented successful algorithm for vulvar abscess treatment and management.
• The proposed methods offer a clear pathway for managing vulvar abscesses effectively.