The Bartholin's glands are located on each side of the vaginal opening. These glands secrete fluid that helps lubricate the vagina. A Bartholin’s cyst forms when the openings of these glands become obstructed, causing fluid to back up into the gland. If the fluid within the cyst becomes infected, you may develop a collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue and this can be very painful.

The marsupialization of a Bartholin’s cyst involves cutting a slit into the cyst and then sewing the edges onto the surrounding skin so the cyst is opened, allowing it to drain freely and preventing it from regrowing.