Abstract
In designing guidelines for the treatment of ameloblastoma, we aimed to clarify the indications of two surgical methods, conservative surgical treatment and jaw resection, and to assess the reliabilities of both methods.
Clinical question 1: In which cases should we perform conservative surgical treatment?
The conservative surgical treatment is indicated for the extraosseous/peripheral type and unicystic type, and some cases of the solid/multilocular type. In the unicystic type, the method is fixed in detail due to the subtype. Curettage, ostectomy of surrounding bone, chemical cauterization by Carnoy's solution, or cryosurgery are recommended to follow the tumor enucleation since a high rate of recurrence was reported in conservative surgical treatments such as curettage or simple enucleation.
Clinical question 2: In which cases should we perform jaw resections?
Jaw resection can be applied to every type of ameloblastoma, especially the solid/multilocular type and desmoplastic type. Though this is a highly radical therapy, the patient's state such as age, gender, and general condition have to be taken into account.
Regarding assessments of clinical questions 1 and 2, both are judged as grade C1 recommendation, which means, “Although there is little evidence to support a positive recommendation, it can be considered. Each method is potentially effective.”
