[Marsupialization or decompression of the cystic lesions of the jaws]

Marsupialization or decompression of the cystic lesions of the jaws is the technique that relieves the pressure within the cyst and causes some decrease in size of the lesion, so that subsequent enucleation or curettage could be performed more simply and with less risk to adjacent vital structures. A permanent tooth in the dentigerous cyst in preadolescents often erupts successfully after marsupialization and resolution of the cyst. Large odontogenic keratocyst or unicystic ameloblastoma is marsupialized initially and then enucleated at a later stage, reducing the possibility of pathological fracture of the mandible or the need for jaw resection. However, it should be kept in mind that a few of odontogenic keratocysts or unicystic ameloblastomas still may recur after this two-stage procedure and multi-cystic amelobalstoma has a high recurrence rate and a potential to infiltrate into the surrounding tissues.