Objective: To observe the clinical treatment effects of decompression or suction drainage in the treatment of large jaw odontogenic cystic lesions.

Methods: 24 cases of large odontogenic cystic lesions of jaw were chosen in our study. Prepare individual cyst plug using special permanently soft durable reline material after fenestration. Divided them into 2 groups according to the treatment either decompression only or decompression with negative suction treatment. The progresses of the patients were observed by radiological examination through dental panoramic film and measurement of the changes of bone density and liquid volume inside the lesion.

Results: Total 24 cases of jaw large odontogenic lesions with the treatment of decompression or suction drainage have been reported to have pretty good result. In average, the second phase surgery was carried out after 3–13 months treatment, when the cystic lesion was less then 1 cm in diameter. Follow up for 3–28 months, no any finding of recurrence. There have markedly difference between suction drainage group and decompression group ( p < 0.05). The suction drainage group, the rate of decrease in size of the involved cystic lesion is obviously faster then the other.

Conclusion: Both decompression and suction drainage treatment technique are effective in the treatment of large odontogenic cystic lesions. The treatment period of suction drainage is quite more effective then simple decompression in a shorter treatment period. And it has a better result in recovering the facial deformity and establishing facial asymmetry.

Conflict of interest: This study was supported by the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (Grant no. 30973340), the Guangdong Sciences and Technology Project (Grant nos. 2008B030301113 and 2007B031505007), and the Guangdong Natural Sciences Foundation (Grant no. 9151008901000187).