The Bartholin gland can form a cyst that can become infected. A loop drain can be placed instead of a Word catheter.

We used the soft tubing from a butterfly phlebotomy kit. Anesthetize the mucosal surface of the labia where you are going to make the incisions.

• Make your first incision and place the wood side of a cotton-tipped applicator through.

• Tent up the mucosa and make a second incision.

• Push the cotton-tipped applicator through the second incision so it is going in and out of the cyst cavity.

• Remove the cotton-tipped applicator and weave the loop drain through on a preloaded hemostat.

• Express any remaining pus. Tie the ends together and trim the excess tubing.

Alternatively, you can preload the tubing with suture thread and tie the ends together to form a loop. The loop drain allows for epithelialization of the tract, which can be removed in approximately 3 weeks.

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