Oral Cavity Mucocele and Different Surgical Treatment Strategies: Is Laser Excision Effective? A Scoping Review

Abstract

Mucocele is a common lesion localized in the oral cavity; it originates from the lesion of a salivary duct and the consequent accumulation of mucin in soft tissues. It is a common lesion of young patients and is frequently associated with areas subject to traumas. Surgical treatment is needed especially if it reaches considerable dimensions, as it can cause discomfort in the patient and tends to increase in size if subjected to further traumatism. This scoping review aims to investigate which treatments are used for this type of lesion, which are the most suitable to prevent recurrence, and if laser-assisted surgery is considered more efficient than other methods. An electronic search was performed within the PubMed (MEDLINE) and Scopus databases. Articles published in the years 2010 to 2023 were selected. Techniques like marsupialization and laser-assisted excision effectively treat mucoceles, with no clear prevalence between them. Laser surgery offers speed, precision, and minimal post-operation discomfort, but randomized trials are needed for conclusive comparisons.

Keywords

• dentistry
• mucocele
• oral medicine
• oral neoplasm
• oral pathology
• oral surgery