Clinicostatistical study of lower lip mucoceles

We reviewed 70 patients with lower lip mucoceles for patient characteristics, clinical features, and histopathologic findings. These cases represented approximately 75% of oral mucoceles seen in the Department of Otolaryngology, Takeda General Hospital, between February 1985 and July 1988. Patients were divided almost equally between males and females, with ages ranging from 2 to 63 years, with the highest incidence of lesions occurring in the second decade. Duration of the lesions varied greatly from a few days to 3 years, with no correlation to size. The most commonly affected site was opposite the upper lateral incisor, with the incidence divided almost equally between right and left side. Of 70 biopsies, 68 were mucous extravasation cysts and 2 were mucous retention cysts. Surgical excision was the treatment of choice, with recurrence of the lesion in only 2 cases.