J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg.  2012 Jun;38(3):160-165. 10.5125/jkaoms.2012.38.3.160.

Partial sublingual glandectomy with ranula excision: a new conservative method for treatment

• Chung IK
• Lee HJ
• Hwang DS
• Kim YD
• Park HR
• Shin SH
• Kim UK
• Lee JY

• KMID: 2043845
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5125/jkaoms.2012.38.3.160

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study evaluated the clinical results of partial sublingual glandectomy accompanying the excision of ranula as new treatment modality.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 43 patients who were treated between 1999 and 2007 for oral or plunging ranula were reviewed. All patients were treated surgically by various methods with a total of 55 different procedures performed. Ten cases of partial sublingual glandectomy with excision of the ranula were conducted. All excised specimens were examined. We compared the clinical outcomes resulting from each treatment method.
RESULTS
The recurrence rates for marsupialization, excision of ranula, marsupialization with gauze packing, total excision of sublingual gland and ranula, and partial sublingual glandectomy with excision of ranula were 50%, 25%, 25%, 0% and 10%, respectively. Of the 10 patients treated by partial sublingual glandectomy with ranula excision, only one experienced recurrence (10%), i.e., plunging ranula. None of the ranulas contained an epithelial lining, and the excised portion of the feeding sublingual glands showed degenerative changes.
CONCLUSION
In removal of ranulas, we found that excision of the attached sublingual gland, which removed the feeding portion and degenerative acinar cells, yielded good outcomes. Thus, as a new conservative method for treatment, we recommend partial sublingual glandectomy to accompany excision of the ranula.

Keyword

Ranula; Sublingual gland; Treatment outcome

MeSH Terms

Acinar Cells
Humans
Ranula
Recurrence
Sublingual Gland
Treatment Outcome

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Partial sublingual glandectomy with excision of ranula.

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  Fig. 2 Gross findings of excised ranula and excised portion of sublingual gland. Solid arrow: ranula, hollow arrow: attached sublingual gland.

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  Fig. 3 Histopathologic features of ranula. A, B. A cystic cavity is surrounded by loose connective tissue or granulation tissue (H&E staining, A: ×50, B: ×120). Adjacent feeding sublingual gland (arrow) is seen near the cavity. C. The cystic wall is composed of numerous inflammatory cells, foamy histiocytes, lymphocytes, and fibrous tissue (H&E staining, ×150). D, E. In the sublingual gland, acinic cells show degenerative change (H&E staining, ×400). F. Ducts (arrows) are dilated and degenerated (H&E staining, ×500).

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