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The piercing–stretching suture technique for the treatment of simple oral floor ranula

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 October 2021

M Gaffuri ,
S Torretta ,
L Pignataro  and
P Capaccio
M Gaffuri*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (‘IRCCS') Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
S Torretta
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (‘IRCCS') Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
L Pignataro
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (‘IRCCS') Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
P Capaccio
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (‘IRCCS') Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Michele Gaffuri, Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milano, Italy E-mail: michele.gaffuri@policlinico.mi.it Fax: + 39 025 032 0248
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Abstract

Background

Oral floor ranulas are pseudocysts located in the floor of the mouth that result from the extravasation of mucus from a sublingual gland. Historically, there has been little consensus on the ideal first-line treatment. Currently, definitive treatment involves sublingual gland excision, which can injure the lingual nerve and submandibular duct. Minimally invasive surgical techniques have been proposed, but so far have been associated with a high rate of recurrence.

Methods

The so-called piercing–stretching suture technique was performed in 14 naïve adult and paediatric patients (6 females, with a mean age of 20.3 years (range, 7–55 years)). Clinical and ultrasonographic evaluations were performed in all patients; post-operative sialendoscopy was conducted in two paediatric patients.

Results

The surgical procedure was successful in all patients, and complete recovery of the ranula was seen in all but one of the patients who underwent suture replacement. No major or minor complications were encountered.

Conclusion

This minimally invasive procedure may be considered a reliable and first-line treatment for management of simple oral floor ranulas.

Keywords

RanulaMouth FloorSublingual GlandMinimally Invasive Surgical ProcedureEndoscopy

Information

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 136 , Issue 1 , January 2022 , pp. 68 - 72
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

Dr M Gaffuri takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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