Prevalence of Odontogenic Keratocysts and Recurrence After Treatment in a Nigerian Tertiary Centre: A 10-Year Review

The odontogenic keratocyst (OKC), reclassified as keratocystic odontogenic tumor by the 2005 WHO classification and reverted in 2017, is recognized for its aggressive behavior and high recurrence rate after surgical treatment. Long-term follow-up data from sub-Saharan African tertiary centers are limited. This retrospective descriptive study reviews the prevalence, clinical-radiographic features, surgical management, and recurrence rates of OKC managed at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, South South Nigeria, over a ten-year period from 2014 to 2024. Confirmed OKC cases were retrieved from pathology records and matched with clinical and operative data. Among 82 eligible cases, males slightly predominated, and the mandible was affected in 79.3% of cases, with the posterior body and ramus region most commonly involved. Enucleation with peripheral ostectomy was the most commonly employed technique, with Carnoy's solution adjunct applied in 38% of cases. Recurrence was observed in 26.8% of patients at five-year follow-up, consistent with published global ranges. Recurrence was significantly associated with incomplete excision and the absence of chemical adjunct application. Young patients with multiple lesions were evaluated for Gorlin-Goltz syndrome, with two confirmed cases in the series. The findings reinforce the need for long-term structured follow-up protocols and molecular screening for associated syndromes in Nigerian oral surgery centers. Keywords: odontogenic keratocyst, recurrence, enucleation, Benin City, jaw lesion.