Management of Bartholin duct cysts with the carbon dioxide laser

Fourteen women with Bartholin duct cysts were treated by creating a neostoma with the carbon dioxide laser at the time of cyst drainage. No catheters, packs, or other materials were left in the treated gland. All but one patient were treated in the author's office under local anesthesia. All patients were managed using the same operative technique. Twelve of the 14 patients required only one treatment. One patient required three operations and another two procedures. General anesthesia was necessary in only one patient. All patients conformed to long-term follow-up. All patients are now free of disease and apparently have normal glandular function. It is concluded that this technique, when used in selected patients, may offer benefits over conventional approaches and has little or no morbidity.