Conservative treatment of oral ranula by excision with minimal excision of the sublingual gland: histological support for a traumatic etiology.

PURPOSE This study investigates, clinically and histologically, a new conservative technique for the treatment of oral ranula based on the premise that a discrete unit of the sublingual gland feeds the ranula, which can therefore be treated by local removal with the attached part of the sublingual gland. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study group consisted of 8 patients with ranula treated by decompression of the ranula followed by local surgical removal together with the attached part of the sublingual gland. Detailed histologic examination of the entire specimen was undertaken in every case. RESULTS The treatment was successful in all the patients and there have been no recurrences after reviews of from 13 to 29 months (median, 26 months). Histologic examination of the entire specimen showed communication between the removed part of the sublingual gland and the ranula by way of a torn duct in every case. CONCLUSIONS The premise that the ranula is fed by an attached, discrete unit of the sublingual gland has been vindicated and is the basis for the successful conservative treatment of ranula by decompression and local surgical removal together with the attached part of the sublingual gland. The finding of communication between the attached sublingual gland and ranula in every case indicates a traumatic etiology for these ranulas.