Faculty Collaboration Database

Sublingual gland excision for the surgical management of plunging ranula. Am J Otolaryngol 2018;39(5):497-500

Date

07/19/2018

Pubmed ID

30017374

DOI

10.1016/j.amjoto.2018.05.011

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85049778099 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   8 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: A plunging ranula is a pseudocystic collection of mucin extravasated from the sublingual gland into the floor of mouth and through the mylohyoid muscle into the neck. While the lining of a ranula is non-secreting and resection of the sublingual gland is adequate for simple sublingual mucoceles, many surgeons attempt to address plunging ranulas with extensive transoral and transcervical dissections. We review our experience managing plunging ranulas with intraoral sublingual gland excision and ranula drainage alone.

METHODS: This is a case series of patients with plunging ranulas who underwent transoral sublingual gland excision and ranula drainage in the past 10 years at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear. All ranulas were confirmed by radiographic imaging. Data were gathered from the medical record and telephone surveys.

RESULTS: Twenty-one patients with 22 distinct ranulas underwent this surgical approach. Average ranula size on imaging was 4.3 cm (SD = 1.3). Thirteen patients with 14 ranulas were followed up for greater than 6 months while the remaining 7 patients were lost to follow-up. Median follow-up for the 13 patients was 30 months (range 6 to 80). One ranula recurred requiring excision of residual sublingual gland (7%). One patient developed a local infection that was treated with antibiotics (7%). No long term complications were reported.

CONCLUSION: Simple transoral excision of the sublingual gland with ranula drainage is sufficient for treatment of plunging ranulas. It is essential to obtain a full resection of the gland to prevent relapse. This limited approach has low rates of complications and ranula recurrence.

Author List

Chen JX, Zenga J, Emerick K, Deschler D

Author

Joseph Zenga MD Assistant Professor in the Otolaryngology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Academic Medical Centers
Adolescent
Adult
Cohort Studies
Female
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Middle Aged
Oral Surgical Procedures
Patient Safety
Prognosis
Ranula
Retrospective Studies
Risk Assessment
Sublingual Gland
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Treatment Outcome
Young Adult