Surgical management of pediatric ranula

Objective: Many surgical techniques have been described in the literature and their recurrence rates have been compared. Few studies have compared the results of the most popular techniques such as excision and marsupialization in pediatric population. Methods: Sixteen children were operated for ranula. Total excision with sublingual gland was performed on 10 patients while marsupialization was performed on 6 patients. These patients were followed up at least 3 years. Their charts were investigated retrospectively. Results: The age range was between 17 days and 16 years old. The mean age was 9 years. There were 12 females and 4 mates. One patient (6.25%) had recurrence after excision and marsupialization was performed on this patient. The recurrence rates for marsupialization and excision were 0 and 10%, respectively. Ranulas were ruptured during surgery in 11 cases (68.75%) while a defect on the floor of the mouth had occurred in 1 patient. Only one of the cases among ruptured cases (9%) had reoccurred. The most common complication was rupture of the ranula in 11 patients (68.75%) followed by a defect on the floor of the mouth in one case. Conclusion: Rupture of the cyst during surgery does not increase the risk of recurrence. Besides marsupialization or excision do not make any difference in terms of success of surgery. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.