The catheter stays in place for 2 to 4 weeks, draining the fluid and causing a normal gland opening to form, after which the catheter is removed. The catheters do not generally impede normal activity, but sexual intercourse is generally abstained from while the catheter is in place.Cysts may also be opened permanently, a procedure called marsupialization, which involves opening the gland through an incision to ensure that the secretion channel remains open. If a cyst is infected, it may break open and start to heal on its own after 3 to 4 days. Nonprescription pain medication such as ibuprofen relieves pain, and a sitz bath may increase comfort and reduce pain. Warm compresses can also speed up healing. If a Bartholin gland abscess comes back several times, the gland and duct can be surgically removed. Prognosis
While Bartholin cysts can be quite painful, they are not life-threatening. New cysts cannot absolutely be prevented from forming, but surgical or laser removal of a cyst makes it less likely that a new one will form at the same site. Those with a cyst are more likely than those without a cyst to get one in the future. They can recur every few years or more frequently. Many women who have marsupialization done find that the recurrences may slow, but do not actually stop. Epidemiology
Two percent of women will have a Bartholins gland cyst at some point in their lives.
Acheiropodia (ACHP) is an autosomal-recessive disorder that results in hemimelia, a lack of formation of the distal extremities. This is a congenital defect that consists of bilateral amputations of the distal upper and lower extremities, as well as aplasia of the hands and feet. It was first discovered and is prevalent almost exclusively in Brazil. Genetics
ACHP has been associated with a mutation in the LMBR1 gene. The disorder is inherited in an autosomal-recessive manner. This means the defective gene responsible for the disorder is located on an autosome, and two copies of the defective gene (one inherited from each parent) are required to be born with the disorder. The parents of an individual with an autosomal recessive disorder both carry one copy of the defective gene, but usually do not experience any signs or symptoms of the disorder. Diagnosis
References
External links
Overview at Orphanet
PDF of Am. J. of Human Genetics article