Pediatric intraoral ranulas: an analysis of nine cases

An intraoral ranula is a retention cyst arises from the sublingual gland on the floor of the mouth as a result of ductal obstruction and fluid retention. Many techniques for management of ranulas have been described in the literature. The purpose of this study was to analyze our surgically treated pediatric patients with intraoral ranulas and to discuss the results in the light of the literature. Nine pediatric patients (six females and three males) with intraoral ranulas surgically treated were analyzed retrospectively regarding their treatment methods and results. The surgical specimens were also re-examined histologically. Seven cases of superficial, protruded and smaller than 2 cm ranulas were treated with marsupialization (unroofing). Two cases who were previously operated and then recurred had bigger than 2 cm ranulas. In these two cases, marsupialization of the ranula plus removal of the sublingual gland was performed. The most common complication was intraoperative cyst rupture of the ranula, which was noted in four cases. A recurrence was observed in only one case in the 16th months of follow up period. Our findings show that marsupialization is a suitable and effective method for pediatric intraoral ranulas, whereas in recurrent cases marsupialization of the ranula combined with total excision of sublingual gland may be preferred.