Mucocele. Treatment alternatives

Abstract

Background: A mucocele, or mucous cyst, originates in the minor salivary glands or their ducts. It is the most common type of soft tissue cyst in the oral cavity. The most frequent variant is the extravasation mucocele, which is associated with the rupture of a salivary gland duct resulting from bite-induced local trauma.

bjective: The objective of this study is to analyze the cases of mucocele treated within Osakidetza's Children's Dental Program at the Debabarrena Integrated Health Service Organization (ESI) over the last ten years, specifically from January 2015 to December 2025, while comparing the clinical outcomes obtained through conventional surgery versus diode laser treatment.

Materials and methods: A retrospective review was conducted on twenty-two cases of mucocele diagnosed and treated in pediatric patients aged between seven and fifteen years over a ten-year period (January 2015 – December 2025). The initial diagnosis was established through clinical examination based on the typical presentation of the lesion. In all cases, histological confirmation was obtained via excisional biopsy.

Results: Among the 22 cases analyzed, the most frequent location for mucoceles was the lower lip, accounting for 19 cases (86.4%). In smaller proportions, two cases (9.1%) were identified on the upper lip, and one case (4.5%) was located on the floor of the mouth, which was clinically compatible with a ranula. Regarding therapeutic management, conventional surgery was chosen in 16 cases. In the remaining 6 cases, a diode laser was utilized to perform controlled ablation of the lesion.

Conclusion: The management of oral mucoceles using conventional surgery remains an effective, safe, and cost-efficient option. However, the use of a diode laser emerges as an excellent therapeutic alternative, offering significant advantages in the management of pediatric patients.