OBJECTIVEThe aim of this retrospective study is to present the long-term effects of open healing of keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KCOTs) in the mandible.

METHODSA retrospective case series study was conducted on 41 patients with large KCOTs (the maximum diameter of the tumors exceeded 5 cm) treated at our institution between September 2003 and April 2011. A conservative surgical treatment was applied. The treatment involved enucleation of the primary lesion through narrow unroofing and open packing of the residual osseous defect with iodoform gauze for secondary healing. Bone regenera- tion and surgical complications were observed. The long-term effects of the treatment were followed up.

RESULTSThe inferior alveolar nerve was exposed in the KCOT bone cavity in all cases, and some nerves adhered to the tumor tightly. The post- operative follow-up time was 81.5 months on the average (36 to 127 months). The packing gauze was changed every two weeks after enucleation, and the total duration time for packing was 8.9 months on the average (3 to 15 months). Notable bone regeneration and satisfactory secondary healing were observed clinically and radiographically. The KCOT-affected teeth were reserved, and their chewing functions were restored. Two cases presented recurrences after the initial treatment. The recurrence rate was 4.9% (2/41). No serious complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONEnucleation associated with subsequent open packing is a reliable treatment for patients with large KCOTs in the mandible.