SURGICAL TREATMENT OF SUBLINGUAL RANULA: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Introduction: A ranula is a benign cystic lesion originating in the sublingual salivary glands, resulting from the extravasation or retention of mucus. Clinically, it manifests as a translucent swelling in the floor of the mouth, bluish in color, usually unilateral, with slow and asymptomatic growth. When it surpasses the mylohyoid muscle and extends into the cervical space, it is called a plunging or cervical ranula, making diagnosis and management more complex. Objective: To report a clinical case of surgically treated sublingual ranula, discussing the diagnostic aspects, the therapeutic approach employed, and the results obtained. Case Report: A 24-year-old female patient presented for consultation reporting a painless swelling in the floor of the mouth that had been evolving for approximately three months. Clinical examination revealed a smooth, fluctuating, bluish-translucent cystic lesion measuring approximately 3 cm in its largest diameter, located to the left of the midline. The diagnostic hypothesis of ranula was confirmed by ultrasound. After surgical planning, it was decided to remove the lesion along with the ipsilateral sublingual gland, under local anesthesia, via an intraoral approach. The procedure was uneventful. The material was sent for histopathological analysis, which confirmed the diagnosis of a mucous extravasation cyst associated with salivary glandular tissue. In the six-month postoperative follow-up, no signs of recurrence were observed. Conclusion: Surgical excision of the ranula associated with removal of the ipsilateral sublingual gland proved to be effective and safe, with a low recurrence rate. Early diagnosis and appropriate choice of surgical technique are fundamental for therapeutic success and prevention of recurrence.