J. ORAL MAXILLOFAC. SURG. 53/3 (1995) 280-283

A comparison of three methods used for treatment of ranula

Yoshimura Y., Obara S., Kondoh T., Naitoh S.-I., Schow S.R.

Dept. of Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery, Shimane Medical University, 89-1, Enya-cho, Izumo City, Shimane 693, Japan

Abstract
Purpose: This report compares the treatment results for oral and plunging ranulas. Patients and Methods: Twenty-seven patients were retrospectively examined concerning treatment methods and recurrence on the basis of their medical records. The surgical specimens were also examined microscopically. Results: Four patients had excision of the ranula only, 22 had marsupialization, and nine had removal of the sublingual gland combined with the excision of the ranula. These treatments showed a 25.0%, 36.4% and 0% recurrence rate, respectively. Histological observation revealed no epithelial lining in any of the examined specimens. Conclusions: Removal of the sublingual gland combined with the ranula was the most reliable method among the above three used.