From the Guidelines
Labial cysts are typically benign and often do not require treatment if they are small and do not cause symptoms. When considering the management of labial cysts, it is essential to prioritize morbidity, mortality, and quality of life as the primary outcomes.
Key Considerations
- The primary goal is to alleviate symptoms and prevent complications, such as infection or rupture, which can lead to significant morbidity and impact quality of life.
- Treatment options for labial cysts include warm compresses, sitz baths, and surgical drainage, depending on the size and symptoms of the cyst.
- For infected cysts, antibiotics such as doxycycline 100mg twice daily for 7-14 days may be prescribed, as supported by guidelines for the diagnosis and management of skin and soft-tissue infections 1.
Management Approach
- Incision and drainage may be necessary for large or infected cysts, as this approach is effective in treating abscesses and inflamed epidermoid cysts, according to the practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of skin and soft-tissue infections 1.
- Marsupialization, a minor surgical procedure, may be recommended for recurrent Bartholin's cysts to create a permanent opening for drainage and prevent future blockages.
- It is crucial to have any genital growth evaluated by a healthcare provider to rule out other conditions and ensure appropriate management, as the presentation of labial cysts can be similar to other conditions, such as cutaneous abscesses or epidermoid cysts 1.
From the Research
Definition and Causes of Labial Cysts
- Labial cysts, also known as mucoceles, are benign, mucus-filled extravasation pseudocysts that commonly arise on the lower lip of children and young adults 2
- They may result from traumatic severance of a salivary gland duct with subsequent extravasation of mucus into fibrous connective tissue 3
Treatment Options for Labial Cysts
- Surgical excision is commonly performed to remove these lesions 2
- Other treatments include marsupialization, micromarsupialization, laser ablation, cryotherapy, intralesional steroid injection, and sclerosing agents 2
- Diode laser offers an effective modality for management of such lesions, with significant reduction in postoperative discomfort after application of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) 3
Comparison of Treatment Outcomes
- The healing and recurrence rates are similar among fistulization, marsupialization, and silver nitrate and alcohol sclerotherapy for Bartholin duct cysts and gland abscesses 4
- Endoscopic transnasal marsupialization is a relatively new alternative to intraoral sublabial resection of nasolabial cysts, with similar efficacy and rates of postoperative swelling, pain, and recurrence 5
Specific Treatment Techniques
- A stitch-and-stab technique using four parallel consecutive strokes of the needle with attached polyglactin 910 suture material in alternately opposing directions was employed in treatment of ranula patients, with 100 % success achieved in 31 ranulas 6
- This technique can also be used to treat Bartholin's cyst 6