Ranula: Current Concept of Pathophysiologic Basis and Surgical Management Options

There is no consensus opinion on a definitive surgical management option for ranulas to curtail recurrence, largely from the existing gap in knowledge on the pathophysiologic basis.

To highlight the current scientific basis of ranula development that informed the preferred surgical approach.

Retrospective cohort study.

Public Tertiary Academic Health Institution.

A 7-year 7-month study of ranulas surgically managed at our tertiary health institution was undertaken-June 1, 2008-December 31, 2015-from case files retrieved utilising the ICD-10 version 10 standard codes.

Twelve cases, representing 0.4 and 1.2% of all institutional and ENT operations, respectively, were managed for ranulas with a M:F = 1:1. The ages ranged from 5/12 to 39 years, mean = 18.5 years, and the disease was prevalent in the third decade of life. Main presentation in the under-fives was related to airway and feeding compromise, while in adults, cosmetic facial appearance. Ranulas in adults were plunging (n = 8, 58.3%), left-sided save one with M:F = 2:1. All were unilateral with R:L = 1:2. Treatment included aspiration (n = 2, 16.7%) with 100% recurrence, intra-/extraoral excision of ranula only (n = 4, 33.3%) with recurrence rate of 50% (n = 2, 16.7%), while marsupialisation in children (n = 1, 8.3%) had no recurrence. Similarly, transcervical approach (n = 5, 41.7%) with excision of both the ranula/sublingual salivary gland recorded zero recurrence. Recurrence was the main complication (n = 4, 33.3%).

With the current knowledge on the pathophysiologic basis, extirpation of both the sublingual salivary gland and the ranula by a specialist surgeon is key for a successful outcome.