From the Research
Alternative catheters for treating a Bartholin abscess when a Word catheter is unavailable include Foley catheters, Jacobi ring catheters, and improvised balloon catheters, as these options can effectively maintain patency of the drainage tract and allow epithelialization to form a new permanent opening, thereby preventing recurrence 1. When a Word catheter is not available, these alternative catheters can be used to treat a Bartholin abscess.
- A small Foley catheter (8-14 French) can be inserted into the abscess cavity after incision and drainage, with the balloon inflated with 2-3 mL of water to keep it in place.
- The catheter should remain for 4-6 weeks to allow epithelialization of the tract, creating a new duct.
- Jacobi ring catheters work similarly but have a circular shape that sits in the vaginal vestibule.
- In resource-limited settings, improvised options include a 10-12 French pediatric feeding tube or a butterfly needle catheter with the needle removed and the plastic wings folded to create a retention mechanism. These alternatives work on the same principle as the Word catheter—maintaining patency of the drainage tract while allowing epithelialization to form a new permanent opening, which is supported by recent studies comparing different treatment options for Bartholin's gland abscesses 2, 3. The use of these alternative catheters can help prevent recurrence by ensuring continued drainage of the Bartholin's gland secretions through the newly formed duct, and their effectiveness has been noted in various clinical settings 4, 5.