%0 Journal Article
%T Waiting for self-healing as a primary management strategy for lower lip mucoceles.
%A Liu JL
%A Liu YN
%A Wang L
%A Wang DC
%J Clin Oral Investig
%V 28
%N 7
%D 2024 Jun 8
%M 38849651
%F 3.606
%R 10.1007/s00784-024-05766-4
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>Oral mucoceles are most frequently encountered on the lower lip. A variety of treatment options are currently employed, including surgical excision, pharmacological injections, and laser therapy. However, each of these approaches may introduce risks and potential complications. Clinical practice has demonstrated a potential for self-healing in lower lip mucoceles, making a conservative observational approach more appealing. This research is a prospective study aimed at evaluating the self-healing capacity of lower lip mucoceles.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>In this prospective study, patients with mucoceles were encouraged to intentionally delay medical intervention and to wait for self-healing. Disappearance of the mucocele for at least 3 months was defined as self-healing.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Thirty patients with lower lip mucoceles were included. With no intervention, 24 patients (80%) reported self-healing of lower lip mucoceles. The mean natural duration of the mucoceles was 3.63 (± 4.7; 1-24) months. After self-healing of the mucocele, the patients were followed up for 17.21 (± 9.45; 2-30) months and there were no reported recurrences.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Lower lip mucoceles have a high potential for self-healing and patients may be routinely encouraged to wait for self-healing.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The high self-healing rate observed in this study suggests that a conservative, non-interventional approach might be considered as the first-line management for lower lip mucoceles.