Sublingual gland removal for plunging ranula

A plunging ranula is an extravasation of saliva from the sublingual gland due to trauma or obstruction of the duct. Fluid from the obstructed gland dissects between the fascial planes and myelohyoid muscle to the submandibular space. 


The exact prevalence of plunging ranula is not known, however, these lesions appear to more common in Maori and Pacific Islanders. Some plunging ranulas either accompany a swelling in the floor of mouth or are associated with a history of treatment of intraoral ranula. On the other hand most plunging ranula in New Zealand there is no clinical evidence of an oral connection, and are sometimes difficult to diagnose.

Treatment involves surgical removal of the sublingual gland and exposure of the pseudocyst. See video above