Enucleation & resection in surgical management of ameloblastoma – A surgical dilemma: Series of eight cases

BackgroundAmeloblastoma is a benign, locally aggressive, slow growing odontogenic tumour of the jaws with high recurrence rate. The management of ameloblastoma can be divided into conservative & radical approaches. The conservative approach includes enucleation, curettage and a more aggressive approach like resection that may lead to aesthetic complications. The conservative approach may result in recurrence therefore treatment modality is always a dilemma.AimsThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of surgical management of ameloblastoma.MethodsWe conducted a study on 5 patients and found the mean age of patients 34 years. We followed the aggressive approach like resection with reconstruction.ResultIn our study 2 patients each were found to be having plexiform and follicular type of ameloblastoma respectively, while 1 had unicystic type. Recurrence was found in one of the patient who was treated with enucleation with chemical cauterization.ConclusionRadical surgical treatment by resection of ameloblastoma gave better results.