Recurrence rate of keratocystic odontogenic tumor after conservative surgical treatment without adjunctive therapies: a 35-year single institution experience

The recurrence rate in conservative surgical treatment, without adjunctive treatment, of the keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) has been studied. A total number of 68 patients, previously untreated and fulfilling the histopathological criteria provided by the 2005 WHO classification, has been retrospectively reviewed. The study period lasted from 1975 to 2009. Treatment consisted of enucleation (n = 58) or marsupialization (n = 10). The mean follow-up period was 65 months. No involved or adjacent teeth were removed, except for wisdom teeth, if applicable, and badly decayed teeth.
After enucleation, the recurrence rate was 20.7% in a mean follow-up period of 46 months, while 40% of the marsupialized KCOTs recurred in a mean follow-up period of 58 months. In none of the patients permanent loss of nerve function has been observed. Due to the recurrence rate observed in the present study, and in view of the potential benefit of adjunctive treatment in KCOT, particularly with regard to the use of Carnoy’s solution, there is a need for prospective studies to test its usefulness with regard to the risk of recurrences.