Conservative management (marsupialization) of unicystic ameloblastoma: literature review and a case report

• Published in: Maxillofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery Vol. 39; no. 1; pp. 38 - 6
• Main Authors: Kim, Jwayoung, Nam, Eunkyung, Yoon, Sukho
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.12.2017; SpringerOpen; 대한악안면성형재건외과학회
• Subjects: Case Report; Conservative treatment; Dentistry; Marsupialization; Medicine; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Plastic Surgery; Tooth eruption; Unicystic ameloblastoma; 치의학; Marsupialization; Unicystic ameloblastoma; Tooth eruption; Conservative treatment
• ISSN: 2288-8101; 2288-8586; 2288-8586
• DOI: 10.1186/s40902-017-0134-0

Background In this study, we present a case of unicystic ameloblastoma (UA) treated by marsupialization followed by surgical enucleation as a conservative approach. UA is a rare, benign, less aggressive, and less invasive variant of ameloblastoma that is observed quite often in younger patients. Radical approaches have effects on the physical and psychological development of a growing young patient; therefore, conservative approaches are widely used for UA management in children. Case presentation This report described a case of an 11-year-old girl with UA of the mandibular molar–ramus area, which also involved impaction of the second and third molars. The lesion was marsupialized, and 31 months after marsupialization, surgical enucleation was performed with extraction of the impacted third molar. The second molar, which was preserved, spontaneously and completely erupted. No recurrence was observed during a 49-month follow-up. Conclusions Conservative treatments for UA in young patients have more advantages. Our results provide evidence that marsupialization is effective in regressing the lesion size to ease complete removal, preserving mandibular growth, maintaining involved second molar, and promoting the eruption of the tooth.