Is Surgical Treatment Based on a 1-Step or 2-Step Protocol Effective in Managing the Odontogenic Keratocyst?

Purpose: The literature does not present any consensus on a uniform treatment plan for odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) and does not provide adequate evidence for determining which modality is most effective in lowering morbidity or preventing recurrence. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of surgical treatment based on a 1- versus 2-step protocol.

Materials and methods: The authors designed and implemented a retrospective cohort study and enrolled a sample of patients diagnosed with OKC from 1991 through 2018. The medical records of all cases were retrieved from files of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Division of the Piracicaba Dental School (Piracicaba, Brazil). The predictor variable was treatment group (1- vs 2-step protocol). Statistical analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier analysis, Mantel-Cox log-rank test, and proportional hazard regression analysis.

Results: The sample was composed of 72 patients (38 male) with a mean age of 40.72 years. Thirteen patients received 1-step treatment and 59 received 2-step treatment. The complex composed of the body, angle, and mandibular ramus was the site most frequently affected. In the individual Kaplan-Meier analysis for each presented variable only involved tooth was significant (P = .0128 by log-rank test), with the risk of relapse 4.23 times higher for the involved tooth than for the non-involved tooth.

Conclusion: The 1- and 2-step protocols for treatment of OKCs are safe and appropriate as the first treatment option, offering a conservative and effective option with low morbidity. Treatment protocols associated with systematic monitoring promote a better quality of life for patients with low potential for complications.