Maxillary ameloblastoma: results of the treatment in 11 patients

Abstract

Introduction: Surgery of maxilla ameloblastoma is mutilating and the tumor propensity for recurrence high. Patients and Methods: The oral and visual functions, facial morphology and tumor recurrence in 11 patients after maxillary ameloblastoma surgery are retrospectively reviewed. Results: Facial morphology was satisfactory in 7 patients who had all tumor removal by a type 1 or 2A maxillectomy and surgical wound closure. Out of these patients, 4 who had dental rehabilitation by conventional prosthesis presented satisfactory mastication. Four patients subjected to the tumor removal by a type 3 maxillectomy had all facial asymmetry. Out of these, 1 patient who did not have the orbital floor defect repair presented diplopia and enophtalmos, and 2 patients subjected to the palate defect repair by a prosthetic obturator or oral mucosa had elocution impairment. The tumor recurrence occurred in 2 patients after tumor enucleation and in 1 patient after radical surgery out of 8 patients who had a postoperative follow-up. Discussion: In ameloblastoma surgery, achieving both the tumor recurrence prevention and a satisfactory facial reconstruction is challenging. Conclusion: Avoiding the tumor recurrence should be the major goal when patient post-surgical follow-up cannot be guaranteed.

Ameloblastoma of the mandible: analysis of radiographic and histopathological features

“…When comparing ameloblastoma in the maxilla to those in the mandible, numerous authors reported that maxillary lesions tend to occur more frequently in males with an average age of 54.9 years [3,15]. This is in contrast to mandibular lesions in this study which occurred nearly equally in males and females with a lower mean age of 32.99 years.…”