Oral and plunging ranulas: What is the most effective treatment?
OBJECTIVE
Preferred treatment of oral/plunging ranulas remains controversial. We present our experience with ranulas at the University of North Carolina (UNC) and review the literature.


METHODS
Retrospective review. From 1990 to 2007, 16 oral ranulas and 10 plunging ranulas were treated at UNC. Combining the UNC series with the literature identified 864 cases for review. An online survey was conducted to identify current treatment patterns.


RESULTS
In the UNC series, procedures for oral ranulas varied from ranula excision (50%), combined ranula and sublingual gland excision (44%), excision of the ranula along with the sublingual gland and submandibular gland (6%). A cervical approach was used in nine plunging ranula cases. One case was treated transorally with sublingual gland removal and evacuation of the ranula. Otherwise, the plunging ranula was removed along with the sublingual gland (20%), submandibular gland (50%), or both (20%). One hundred fifty-one complications were identified from the literature. Recurrence was considered a complication and was most prevalent (63%). Nonrecurrent complications included tongue hypesthesia (26%), bleeding/hematoma (7%), postoperative infection (3%), and Wharton's duct injury (1%). Sublingual gland excision yielded the fewest complications (3%). Procedures and associated complication rates were: transoral excision of sublingual gland (3%); transoral excision of sublingual gland and ranula (12%); marsupialization (24%); transcervical excision of sublingual gland, submandibular gland, and ranula (33%); OK-432 (49%); and aspiration (82%).


CONCLUSIONS
Based on our review, definitive treatment yielding lowest recurrence and complication rates for all ranulas is transoral excision of the ipsilateral sublingual gland with ranula evacuation.
Patel
Mihir R
MR
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina Hospitals, Chapel Hill, 27599, USA.
Deal
Allison M
AM
Shockley
William W
WW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011900:Ranula / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013361:Sublingual Gland / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult