Pediatric Oral Mucocele Management: A Case Series Investigating Different Treatment Approaches

Abstract

A mucocele is a benign cystic lesion containing clear fluid within a thin capsule, typically resulting from the disruption of minor salivary glands and leakage into surrounding tissues, most commonly on the lower lip. These lesions often arise due to traumatic injuries such as lip-sucking, biting, or trauma from orthodontic appliances. This study compares different surgical methods for mucocele removal in pediatric patients through three distinct cases. This study includes three pediatric cases of mucocele removal using different surgical methods. Case 1 involved a nine-year-old girl with a traumatic bite on the lower lip, treated with a traditional approach using a scalpel. The surgical excision resulted in adequate healing with no recurrence after six months. Case 2 described a 12-year-old boy with a lip-biting habit, who presented with a swelling on the lower left lip. He underwent diode laser treatment, which facilitated faster healing, minimal discomfort, and no scarring after 30 days. Case 3 involved a 14-year-old boy, also with a lip-biting habit, who had swelling on the lower left lip. Electrocautery was used for his treatment, resulting in minimal bleeding, effective healing after 21 days, and no recurrence at the six-month follow-up. These cases demonstrate the efficacy of different treatment modalities for mucocele removal in pediatric patients. Evaluations of pain, bleeding, and swelling indicated that minimally invasive methods like the diode laser offer significant benefits in patient comfort and recovery. These findings highlight the potential of minimally invasive techniques to enhance the management of mucoceles in pediatric patients, underscoring the need for further research to determine the long-term efficacy of various treatment modalities.