Liquid nitrogen cryosurgery for treatment of mucoceles in children.

A mucocele is a common benign lesion of the minor salivary gland mucosa that most frequently affects children and young adults. Several treatments have been described in the literature, including liquid nitrogen cryosurgery--a therapeutic alternative for treating mucoceles in children that has many applications in clinical oral pathology. The purpose of this paper was to present the treatment of lower lip mucoceles in 2 children via liquid nitrogen cryosurgery performed without local anesthesia. Also discussed are the mechanisms of action, current protocol of cryosurgery recommended in the management of mucoceles, clinical advantages and disadvantages, clinical outcomes, and pediatric patients' safety.