Toddler Has Successful Ranula Surgery At BSUTH

Terkimbi Kaase, age two, underwent a successful Ranula operation at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) to remove a tumor from his tongue.

A blocked salivary gland can cause a ranula, a spit-filled cyst that develops behind the tongue. Rather of saliva draining from the gland into the mouth, the saliva leaks into surrounding tissues, creating a bubble or cyst.

The procedure entails excising the cyst or making a hole in it so that the contained saliva can escape.

Prof. Francis Uba, a pediatric surgeon who conducted the surgery, said that the tumor was brought on by a disease called ranula, which is often prevalent in youngsters but is more common in adults.

Uba claims that the illness is brought on by a clog in the pipe that drains the salivary glands or that it can happen when a blockage in the pipe that conveys bodily fluids arises in a child's formative years.

The surgeon, who expressed surprise at the severity of Terkimbi Kaase's case, reportedly stated in a report posted on the tertiary hospital's official Facebook page that the swelling under his tongue was pushing it towards the floor of his mouth and could have resulted in a blockage of his respiratory track, which could have choked him to death in a matter of days.