TREATMENT OF MANDIBULAR ODONTOGENIC KERATOCYSTS

Objective. The purpose of this study was to report our experience with surgical treatment of 31 mandibular odontogenic keratocysts, with spe cial reference to their recurrence; and to review the literature on th is subject. Study design. A retrospective analysis was conducted of al l 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 keratocy sts were histopathologically diagnosed preoperatively. They were surgi cally treated through an intraoral approach by resection without conti nuity defects. The lower border of the mandible and/or the posterior b order of the ramus was left intact. In cases where teeth were in conti nuity with the lesion, they were extracted. In cases where cortical pe rforation occurred, any associated overlying mucoperiosteum was excise d. All patients were reviewed annually for a follow-up period of 2 to 8 years. Results. All odontogenic keratocysts were found in the mandib le. Of these, 23 were in the ramus and angular region (74.2%) and 8 we re located in the body of the mandible. No recurrences of the operated odontogenic keratocysts were observed during the follow-up period. Co nclusion. Our findings indicate that removal of odontogenic keratocyst s by resection without continuity defects is a satisfactory method of treatment.