The presentation of recurrent odontogenic keratocysts of the mandible with an emphasis on the tooth‐bearing area: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

AbstractAimTo gain insight in the actual ratio of recurrent odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) occurring in the tooth‐bearing area as compared to the posterior region of the mandible in order to come up with reliable data to base upon a rational treatment policy.Material and MethodsWe searched MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar databases for studies reporting on the location of recurrent mandibular OKCs. Risk Difference with a confidence interval of 95% of having the lesion in the tooth‐bearing area versus the posterior region was the effect measure. P value for the summary effect of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe 1411 records retrieved were reduced to 13 studies to be qualitative/quantitative assessed. The pooled values showed that the difference in the clinical risk of having recurrent OKCs in the posterior region of the mandible and in the tooth‐bearing area of the maxilla is of 7% (CI: −0.08, 0.22; P = 0.36), the posterior region being more susceptible to develop a recurrent OKC.ConclusionsThe recurrence rate of OKCs in the posterior mandible is not significantly higher than of those located in the tooth‐bearing part of the mandible; however, there is no reason to follow a more aggressive treatment policy for OKCs in the tooth‐bearing area.