From the Research
The recommended treatment for a nasopalatine duct cyst is surgical enucleation, which involves complete removal of the cyst through a surgical procedure, as supported by the most recent and highest quality study 1. This is typically performed under local anesthesia with an incision made in the palatal mucosa to access and remove the entire cyst along with its epithelial lining. Before surgery, a thorough clinical and radiographic examination is necessary to confirm the diagnosis and determine the exact location and size of the cyst, as described in the study 2. Following the procedure, patients should rinse with 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash twice daily for one week to prevent infection, and may be prescribed analgesics such as ibuprofen 400-600mg every 6-8 hours for pain management. Antibiotics are not routinely needed unless there are signs of infection. Surgical removal is preferred over simple aspiration or marsupialization because complete enucleation prevents recurrence by removing all cyst-forming epithelium, as noted in the study 3. Patients should be informed that while complications are rare, they may include temporary numbness in the anterior palate, bleeding, or infection. Follow-up appointments are typically scheduled one week after surgery to assess healing and then at 6-12 months to confirm complete resolution, as recommended in the study 4. The use of a custom-made surgical guide, as described in the study 2, can aid in accurate enucleation of the cyst. It is essential to note that the etiology of nasopalatine duct cysts is unclear, but simple surgical resection is recommended, followed by clinical and radiological control to ensure correct resolution of the case, as stated in the study 4.