Use of Marsupialisation for a Conservative Approach to Huge Cystic Lesions of the Jaws - A Report of three Cases

RATIONALE: The management of cystic lesions of the jaws presents a challenge to the surgeon. Marsupialisation, one of the conservative management options, has been used as a single or combined surgical treatment modality for the cystic lesions of the jaws. PATIENT CONCERNS: All patients presented with a complaint of a firm swelling of the face with one of the patients presenting with paraesthesia in the affected area. DIAGNOSIS: Clinical and radiographic examination was carried out followed by aspiration cytology. All lesions were provisionally diagnosed with odontogenic cystic lesions. TREATMENT: Marsupialisation under general anaesthesia was carried out for all patients. Postoperatively, a customised obturator was fabricated. OUTCOMES: All the patients showed good radiological ossification postoperatively. TAKE-AWAY LESSONS: The approach to larger cysts remains controversial. The long-term results following the marsupialisation of extensive cysts of this report may help surgeons to opt for a conservative approach to such lesions before aggressive options.