Operational Obstetrics & Gynecology

Labial Abscess

A labial abscess presents as a firm, very tender, reddened, unilateral mass.

Abscess.jpg (86618 bytes)The mass arises from the upper portion of the labia, in contrast to Bartholin cyst abscesses which arise from the lower (inferior) portion of the labia.

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.

While antibiotics may be optional in a civilian setting, they are usually very desirable in an operational setting. 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.


Home  ·  Introduction  ·  Medical Support of Women in Field Environments  ·  The Prisoner of War Experience  ·  Routine Care  ·  Pap Smears  ·  Human Papilloma Virus  ·  Contraception  ·  Birth Control Pills  ·  Vulvar Disease  ·  Vaginal Discharge  ·  Abnormal Bleeding  ·  Menstrual Problems  ·  Abdominal Pain  ·  Urination Problems  ·  Menopause  ·  Breast Problems  ·  Sexual Assault  ·  Normal Pregnancy  ·  Abnormal Pregnancy  ·  Normal Labor and Delivery  ·  Problems During Labor and Delivery  ·  Care of the Newborn

Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
Department of the Navy
2300 E Street NW
Washington, D.C
20372-5300

Operational Obstetrics & Gynecology - 2nd Edition
The Health Care of Women in Military Settings
CAPT Michael John Hughey, MC, USNR
NAVMEDPUB 6300-2C
January 1, 2000

This web version of Operational Obstetrics & Gynecology is provided by The Brookside Associates Medical Education Division.  It contains original contents from the official US Navy NAVMEDPUB 6300-2C, but has been reformatted for web access and includes advertising and links that were not present in the original version. This web version has not been approved by the Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense. The presence of any advertising on these pages does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service by either the Department of Defense or the Brookside Associates. The Brookside Associates is a private organization, not affiliated with the United States Department of Defense. All material in this version is unclassified.

This formatting © 2006 Medical Education Division, Brookside Associates, Ltd.
All rights reserved

 

Advertise on this Site