title: Treatment of intraoral ranulas with micromarsupialization: clinical outcomes and safety from a phase II clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Micromarsupialization of an oral ranula has been introduced to clinical practice. However, the technical feasibility, indications, and safety of the procedure were not fully studied. In this study, we report the results of a prospective phase II clinical trial to evaluate the clinical outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients diagnosed with oral ranula were enrolled in this trial. The ranulas were confirmed by oral examination and CT scans. We implemented micromarsupialization on the patients after receiving their consent. We evaluated the clinical outcomes and complications related to this procedure for longer than a 12-month period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients showed resolution after the first micromarsupialization, after which 5 patients developed a recurrence that required revision micromarsupialization. Six months later, only 2 patients showed recurrence, requiring resection of the ranula and sublingual gland.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Micromarsupialization can be a very effective and safe approach as an initial treatment for intraoral ranula.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea; Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seung Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.forename: Jun Hyuk
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Chi
authors.forename: Bo Hae
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seong Keun
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kwon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011900:Ranula / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: economy; micromarsupialization; oral cavity; ranula; suture