Abstract :Background: Women hospitalized with complicated Non-Bartholin major labia abscesses an
uncommon insufficient investigated entity. The purpose of this study was to explore these patients
characteristics, there clinical manifestation, mode of treatment and microbiology.
Methods: Hospitalized women with a diagnosis of major labia abscess were followed at the
gynecological division of a university-affiliated tertiary medical center during January 2004 to
December 2013. Decision for hospitalization was based on clinical symptoms such as severe
pain, fever, swelling, redness and cellulitis, or no response to oral antibiotic treatment. Data on
demographic parameters, age, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, mode of treatment, pus culture,
blood test results, duration of stay and discharge were retrieved from the departmental computerized
health records.
Results: Of 294 women diagnosed and hospitalized for vulvar abscess during the study period, only
27 (9.2%) were diagnosed with major labia abscess and comprised the study group. Mean age was
35.2 ± 13.2 years (range 15-65 years). For all women, this was the first episode of labial abscess.
Severe local pain was the main complaint, recorded for 17 (62.9%). Systemic fever and leukocytosis
were recorded for only 8 (29.6%) and 10 (37.0%) women.
Incision and drainage of the abscess was successful in all cases. There were no cases of recurrent
labial abscesses in our records. Only 33.3% of cultures were positive for bacteria. The most prevalent
species were Streptococcus in 88.9%, Escherichia coli in 22.2% and Staphylococcus in 11.1%.
Conclusions: Hospitalization for major labia abscess is uncommon. Incision and drainage with
systemic antibiotics is the appropriate treatment.