Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the treatment efficacy of enucleation after decompression.
Materials and methods: A total of 17 patients with cystic lesion of the jaw were treated with decompression followed by enucleation. Pre- and postdecompression panoramic radiographs were analyzed.
Results: The mean percentage of reduction after decompression was 64%. The reaction was graded as good (>80%) in five patients (29.4%), moderate (50%-80%) in nine patients (52.9%), and poor (<50%) in three patients (17.6%). The reduction rate of larger cystic lesions was faster than that of smaller lesions. However, the reduction rate was not affected by age. The duration of follow-up ranged from one to eight years. There were no complications, and one case recurred.
Conclusion: Decompression is an effective method for the initial treatment of jaw cysts.
Keywords: Decompression; Jaw cysts; Odontogenic cyst.