Marsupialization is the optimal treatment approach for keratocystic odontogenic tumour.

Previous published studies fail to present any consensus on a uniform treatment protocol for keratocystic odontogenic tumour (KCOT). Optimal management for KCOT was investigated by comparing the treatment outcome of marsupialization to the enucleation and radical resection. An online electronic databases search was carried out through the PubMed, Embase and Web of Science. The statistical analysis was performed by RevMan version 5.2. Fourteen eligible studies were identified for analysis. Fourteen studies evaluated included 938 patients, of which 853 underwent enucleation alone or plus adjunctive therapy, 110 underwent marsupialization with or without secondary adjunctive therapy, and 86 underwent radical resection alone. The marsupialization was significantly associated with lower recurrence compared to enucleation and resection in KCOT treatment (RR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.4-0.78, P = 0.0006 and RR = 0.32, 95% CI 0.15-0.69, P = 0.004, respectively). The results suggest that the marsupialization reduce the recurrence of KCOT better than enucleation and surgical resection and it may be the optimal approach for KCOT treatment.