Conservative management with Carnoy’s solution in ameloblastoma involving two unerupted teeth: a report of two cases

Marsupialization is widely used as a primary treatment modality for reducing size of large cysts. However, there is no recommendation for specific duration of marsupialization. In addition, Carnoy’s solution usually is applied at the time of enucleation as a fixative agent. In this report, we present an appropriate marsupialization duration of ameloblastoma involving two unerupted teeth. In this present study, marsupialization using a Foley catheter was performed in two cases of ameloblastoma of the mandible involving two adjacent impacted teeth. Carnoy’s solution was applied for 3-5 minutes after enucleation in both patients. Periodically during marsupialization, the size of the radiolucency was measured in panoramic view, and clinical examination was performed. No remarkable paresthesia or soft tissue injury was observed after application of Carnoy’s solution or during follow-up. We recommend 12 to 16 weeks as an adequate marsupialization duration for a large ameloblastoma involving two impacted teeth based on increased radiopacity along the margins of the lesions. Poor oral hygiene was an issue after 12 weeks of marsupialization in one case. There were no remarkable complications with Carnoy’s solution in either case. The Foley tube has a two-way system that is more effective for irrigating the cavity than is the conventional one-way system.