About Plunging Ranula Repair
Key Highlights
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Definitive treatment that addresses the root cause by removing the damaged salivary gland.High success rate with a low probability of recurrence when performed correctly.Resolves the visible neck swelling, improving cosmetic appearance.Performed by specialized dental or maxillofacial surgeons with expertise in the oral and neck anatomy.Minimally invasive surgical approaches are often possible, leading to less post-operative discomfort.
Who is this surgery for?
- Presence of a persistent, painless, soft, and fluctuant swelling in the submandibular or upper neck region.
- Diagnosis of a plunging ranula confirmed by imaging such as ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan.
- Recurrent simple oral ranula that has extended into the neck tissues.
- Swelling causing discomfort, difficulty swallowing, or speech issues.
- Cosmetic concern due to the noticeable neck mass.
- Failure of conservative treatments like aspiration or marsupialization alone.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive clinical examination and imaging (MRI/CT/Ultrasound) to confirm diagnosis and plan surgery.
- Pre-operative blood tests and medical evaluation to ensure fitness for anesthesia.
- Discussion of the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives with the surgeon.
- Informing the surgeon about all current medications, especially blood thinners.
- Fasting for 6-8 hours before the scheduled surgery if general anesthesia is used.
- Arranging for someone to drive the patient home after the procedure.
Risks & possible complications
- Bleeding or hematoma formation at the surgical site.
- Infection requiring antibiotics.
- Damage to nearby structures like the lingual nerve (causing temporary or permanent tongue numbness or altered taste) or the hypoglossal nerve (affecting tongue movement).
- Injury to Wharton's duct of the submandibular gland.
- Scar formation, though the incision is often placed in a natural neck crease.
- Recurrence of the ranula if any glandular tissue is left behind.
- Reactions to anesthesia.
- Post-operative swelling and pain.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Hospital stay is typically short, often just for the day of surgery or one night.
- Initial recovery involves managing pain with prescribed medications and applying ice packs to reduce swelling.
- A soft or liquid diet is recommended for the first few days to avoid irritating the surgical site.
- Maintaining excellent oral hygiene with gentle rinsing as advised.
- Avoiding strenuous activity and heavy lifting for 1-2 weeks.
- Follow-up appointments to monitor healing and remove any sutures.
- Most swelling and bruising subside within 1-2 weeks, with full internal healing taking several weeks.
- Patients should report any signs of infection (fever, increased redness/pus) or severe numbness to their surgeon immediately.
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Typical hospital stay: 0-1 days (often day-care)
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Expected recovery time: 1-2 weeks for normal activity, 4-6 weeks for complete healing
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering plunging ranula repair in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with dental surgery departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform plunging ranula repair. MediFyr helps you compare dental surgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for plunging ranula repair compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 35 Thousand – 85 Thousand | 0-1 days (often day-care) | ~ 1-2 weeks for normal activity, 4-6 weeks for complete healing | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 123 Thousand – 298 Thousand | 0-1 days (often day-care) | ~ 1-2 weeks for normal activity, 4-6 weeks for complete healing | Know More |
Sophia Chopra, a 28-year-old graphic designer,...
Sophia Chopra, a 28-year-old graphic designer, first noticed a painless swelling under her tongue six months ago. Initially dismissing it as a canker sore, the swelling gradually increased, forming a noticeable blueish lump in her neck that made swallowing uncomfortable and speaking slightly difficult. As a freelance designer who frequently presents to clients, she became increasingly self-conscious. Her dentist referred her to an oral surgeon, Dr. Chen, who diagnosed a plunging ranula, a saliva-filled cyst from a damaged salivary gland under her tongue that had 'plunged' into her neck. Dr. Chen recommended a definitive repair called a marsupialization, explaining it would open and suture the cyst to form a permanent pouch, allowing it to drain and preventing recurrence. Sophia was anxious about surgery near her airway but trusted Dr. Chen. The procedure under general anesthesia went smoothly. The first week of recovery involved a soft diet, mild pain managed with medication, and some swelling and bruising on her neck. Within a month, the lump was completely gone, her speech was clear, and swallowing was normal. Emotionally, Sophia journeyed from anxiety and embarrassment about her appearance to immense relief and regained confidence, no longer hiding her neck with scarves and feeling fully present in her client meetings.
Dental surgeons for Plunging Ranula Repair
Explore experienced dental surgeons who regularly perform plunging ranula repair and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 31 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 24 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 24 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 15 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 11 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 8 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
- 4 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 4 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 13 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata
- 10 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata
- 8 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
KMC Hospital Mangalore, Mangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 23 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Millers Road, Bangalore
- 20 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospitals Broadway, Kolkata
- 9 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Kolkata
- 21 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Millers Road, Bangalore
- 26 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 22 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Siliguri, Siliguri
- 7 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata