Abstract
Background: Mucoceles are common benign cystic lesions of salivary gland mainly of traumatic origin. Mucoceles are known to occur most commonly on the lower lip, followed by the floor of mouth and buccal mucosa. Mucoceles are not uncommon in children.

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of 7 mucoceles in pediatric patients who reported to us and to compare the details with the literature.

Materials & Method: The clinical data were retrieved from the records of 7 pediatric patients who were surgically treated for cystic lesions of minor salivary gland origin during the period of 2012 to 2015. size, color, investigations and the treatment performed were evaluated and analyzed.

Results: This retrospective study comprised of 7 pediatric patients with mucoceles. The age ranged from 8 to 14 years. 5 were boys and 2 were girls. Four Mucoceles were located in the lower labial mucosa, two in the floor of the mouth and one in buccal mucosa. Three mucoceles measured 1.5 cms and the remaining lesions measured 1, 3, 4 and 5 cms respectively. We observed bluish hue in 3 lesions, white surface in 2, normal pink in 1 and erythematous surface in 1. On investigation 5 mucoceles showed brilliant transillumination. All mucoceles were treated with conventional surgical excision. We observed no recurrences.

Conclusion: The observations of this study are: 1. Among the pediatric population mucoceles are commonly seen in males 2. Often detected in second decade of life. 3. The predominant site was lower labial mucosa followed by floor of the mouth. 4. The surface keratosis and internal hemorrhage can alter the characteristic bluish color. 5. Simple excision along with dissection of the affected and adjacent minor salivary gland prevents recurrence.

Key words: Children, Mucocele, Ranula,Transillumination, Excision