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Peri-clitoral Abscess
Same patient, the next day, after
incision and drainage
Labial Abscess |
A labial abscess presents as a firm, very tender, reddened,
unilateral mass.
The mass arises from the upper portion of the labia minora, including
the clitoral hood. This is in contrast to Bartholin cyst
abscesses which arise from the lower (inferior) portion of the labia
majora.
Causes include infectious complications of trauma and infected skin glands.
Many of these will drain spontaneously, but a simple incision and drainage procedure
will provide dramatic, immediate relief of symptoms. Make the incision through the
thinnest portion of the abscess wall, but this will generally be in the inferior, medial
aspect of the mass.
In theory, simple I&D should be effective in resolving this problem.
A better plan includes antibiotics, particularly if there is evidence of
cellulitis. Good choices include any antibiotic with reasonable
effectiveness against common skin organisms (amoxicillin,
cephalosporins,
erythromycin,
azithromycin,
clindamycin).
Complete resolution of symptoms and restoration of the normal anatomy is the expected
outcome.
Military
Obstetrics & Gynecology
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Medical Education Division,
Brookside Associates, Ltd.
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