Treatment of mandibular odontogenic keratocysts

The purpose of this study was to report our experience with surgical treatment of 31 mandibular odontogenic keratocysts, with special reference to their recurrence, and to review the literature on this subject.

A retrospective analysis was conducted of all odontogenic cysts treated in the Department of Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine at Jordan University of Science and Technology between 1989 and 1995. Of a total of 227 odontogenic cysts, 31 odontogenic keratocysts were histopathologically diagnosed preoperatively. They were surgically treated through an intraoral approach by resection without continuity defects. The lower border of the mandible and/or the posterior border of the ramus was left intact. In cases where teeth were in continuity with the lesion, they were extracted. In cases where cortical perforation occurred, any associated overlying mucoperiosteum was excised. All patients were reviewed annually for a follow-up period of 2 to 8 years.

All odontogenic keratocysts were found in the mandible. Of these, 23 were in the ramus and angular region (74.2%) and 8 were located in the body of the mandible. No recurrences of the operated odontogenic keratocysts were observed during the follow-up period.

Our findings indicate that removal of odontogenic keratocysts by resection without continuity defects is a satisfactory method of treatment.