I've had a few self-resolving small mucoceles occur in various places around the mucosa, not lasting long. One occurred on my lower lip and I removed it with scissors. I'd done so before with no problems.
But this one recurred and has since recurred at least once per week, and filled up to a medium size in about 12 hours, so here I am.
Some people here have posted all sorts of information, advice, and warnings about their experiences out of care for others, and thanks so much to you for that, you're very kind.
The problem is that the duct is grown over again and again by the healing of the epithelium. If you could just somehow get the epithelium to stop right where the duct needs a little opening to release its saliva, the problem would be solved without the risk of nerve damage or poor technique that comes with removing nearby lobules.
"The use of a micromarsupialization technique for mucoceles in pediatric patients has been reported. This technique involves the placement of a 4.0 silk suture through the widest diameter of the lesion (dome of the lesion) without engaging the underlying tissue. A surgical knot is made, and the suture is left in place for 7 days. Patients need to be educated about suture replacement; they must return to have the suture replaced if it should be lost during the 7-day period. The idea behind this alternative treatment for mucoceles of minor salivary glands is that re-epithelization of the severed duct occurs or a new epithelial-lined duct forms, allowing egress of saliva from the minor salivary gland. The recurrence rate after a short follow-up period has been 14% in pediatric patients. This technique is not indicated for lesions larger than 1 cm in diameter."
There's that. The silk thread encourages the formation of a duct.
"Laser ablation, cryosurgery, and electrocautery are approaches that have also been used for the treatment of the conventional mucocele with variable success."
Both from: http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic648.htm
One user punctured, drained, and bathed the mucocele in salt water and it didn't come back. She apparently managed to allow the duct egress.
Another put a canker sore cover on a softened mucocele after it was partially reabsorbed, said it was working, then never posted again.
I'd really like to heal without hiring someone to chop and squeeze at my lip. The body resolves so many small things on its own, it seems nuts that it can't restrict the healing of its epithelium enough to allow a little duct some air.
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