VULVAR SURGERY IN SHERMAN, TX — VULVAR DYSPLASIA, BARTHOLIN CYST & BIOPSY CARE
Gentle care for vulvar dysplasia, Bartholin cysts, and biopsies
Our practice offers vulvar surgery in Sherman, TX for women across North Texas and Texoma. Dr. Karissa Cryer treats vulvar dysplasia (abnormal, pre-cancer cells on the vulva, also called VIN), Bartholin cysts, and painful Bartholin abscesses. She also does vulvar biopsies (small tissue samples) and removes vulvar lesions and cysts (bumps or growths). The vulva is the outer part of a woman's private area. If you feel an itch, a lump, a sore, or a tender bump, we are here to help. This page explains each type of vulvar surgery in plain words, so you know what to expect before you call 903-957-0275.
What is vulvar surgery? Vulvar surgery is any procedure done on the vulva (the outside skin and folds of a woman's private area). It is used to fix or check many problems. Some women need surgery for vulvar dysplasia (VIN), which means abnormal cells that could turn into cancer over time. Others need care for a Bartholin cyst or abscess (a swollen, sometimes infected gland near the vaginal opening). And some women need a vulvar biopsy (a small tissue sample) or removal of a lesion or cyst (a bump, patch, or growth). Dr. Cryer offers all of these at our Sherman, TX office. Most of these are small, same-day procedures either in the office through a local hospital day surgery.
Vulvar dysplasia (VIN) and wide local excision. VIN stands for vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia. That is a long name for abnormal cells on the surface of the vulva. These cells are not cancer, but they are a warning sign. Left alone, they can slowly turn into vulvar cancer over several years. Many cases are linked to HPV (human papillomavirus, a common virus). Signs can include itching, burning, or a raised white, gray, or dark patch. Because VIN can grow into cancer, doctors treat it once it is found. One common treatment is wide local excision (cutting out the abnormal area along with a small rim of healthy skin around it). Removing that extra margin helps make sure all the bad cells are gone. The tissue is then sent to a lab to be checked. Dr. Cryer will talk with you about your results and any follow-up care you may need.
Bartholin cyst and abscess treatment. The Bartholin glands sit on each side of the vaginal opening. They are part of the vulva. Sometimes a gland gets blocked and fills with fluid. This is a Bartholin cyst. If it gets infected, it becomes a Bartholin abscess, which can be very painful, red, and swollen. There are a few ways Dr. Cryer can treat this. For a small cyst, warm sitz baths (soaking in a few inches of warm water) may help it drain on its own. For a larger or infected one, she can do a drainage (making a tiny cut to let the fluid out). She may place a Word catheter (a small, soft tube with a little balloon that stays in for a few weeks so the gland can heal open and drain). If the cyst keeps coming back, she may do a marsupialization (stitching the edges of the opening so it stays open and does not fill up again). In rare cases when nothing else works, she can remove the whole Bartholin gland. Antibiotics (infection medicine) may be given if there is an infection.
Other vulvar procedures. Dr. Cryer also does smaller vulvar procedures. A vulvar biopsy takes a tiny sample of skin so the lab can check it. This is often done when there is a new patch, sore, mole, or spot that does not go away. She can also remove vulvar lesions and cysts (bumps, growths, or fluid-filled sacs) that cause pain, catch on clothing, or worry you. Many of these are quick, in-office procedures using numbing medicine. Other vulvar procedures include cosmetic gynecology.
What happens. Most vulvar procedures are outpatient, which means you go home the same day. Small biopsies and drainage are often done with local anesthesia (numbing medicine in one spot) right in our Sherman office. A wide local excision or full gland removal may use general anesthesia (medicine that puts you to sleep) at an outpatient surgery center.
How is recovery? Recovery is different for each woman. Small biopsies and drainage often heal in a few days to a couple of weeks. Larger excisions may take a few weeks, and warm sitz baths and gentle care help you heal. Dr. Cryer will give you clear instructions before you leave. Call our office if you have heavy bleeding, a fever, growing pain, or drainage that smells bad. To ask a question or book a visit, call or text our team at 903-957-0275. We care for women all across North Texas and Texoma, and we are glad to help.