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 | USD 381 – USD 925 | 0-1 days (often day-care) | ~ 1-2 weeks for normal activity, 4-6 weeks for complete healing | Know More |
| Turkey | USD 2,818 – USD 6,845 | 0-1 days (often day-care) | ~ 1-2 weeks for normal activity, 4-6 weeks for complete healing | Know More |
Rohan, a 7-year-old from an affluent...
Rohan, a 7-year-old from an affluent family, presented with severe dental trauma after a bicycle accident. Dr. Kumar performed emergency stabilization of multiple avulsed teeth using advanced splinting techniques. The child required weekly follow-ups for 3 months and eventually regained full dental function with minimal aesthetic impact, much to his parents' relief.
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.
- 10 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Dwarka
- 23 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Siliguri
- 22 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Millers Road
- 10 Years Experience
- Dental surgeon
Manipal Hospital Kharadi