Clinical Analysis of the 22 Cases of Plunging Ranula / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The plunging ranula is a relatively uncommon phenomenon which represents a mucus escape reaction occurring from disruption of the sublingual salivary gland. We present a series of 22 patients treated at Korea University Hospital during a 20-year period. The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical characteristics of plunging ranula in order to provide our experience for its correct diagnosis and treatment. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A retrospective review of 22 patients with this condition was undertaken. Information was collected on age, sex, history of onset, predisposing factors, treatent, post-operative follow-up and outcome of treatment. RESULTS: The patients were all young adults with a median age of 19.8 years old. The sex distribution was male predominant with 15 men and 7 women. Except for one, no patients had any history of preceding trauma to the neck or oral cavity. Six patients had history of previous operation. Managements included 21 surgical approach and one sclerotherapy. There were no recurrences. One patient experienced transient paralysis of the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve postoperatively, but it was temporal and was sustained with no further complications. CONCLUSION: The incidence of plunging ranulas was not common. The precise etiology of its predisposition is unknown. Reoval of the sublingual gland via either a cervical or intraoral approach is important in the management of this condition.

Reconstruction of Septal Perforation with Alloderm / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The closure of nasal septal perforation is a significant surgical challenge with high failure rates. Acellular human dermal graft (Alloderm) placed between mucoperichondrial advancement flaps may be an alternative. The purpose of this study was to investigate the usefulness of Alloderm for the repair of nasal septal perforation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven consecutive patients with septal perforation who received the septal perforation repair with Alloderm were included in this study. The causes of septal perforations were previous nasal surgeries, trauma, chemical irritation, inflammation, or unknown. Follow-up periods ranged from 7 to 36 months. RESULTS: Six of seven patients had successful outcomes with complete closure of their perforations. The remaining one patient had an incomplete closure, but the size of the performation was reduced with no further symptoms. CONCLUSION: AIloderm can be used as a connective tissue and interpositional grafts in the repair of septal perforations with high success rates. Therefore, Alloderm is the viable alternative for the closure of nasal septal perforations.