Biological profile of ameloblastoma and its location in the jaw in 1246 Nigerians.

OBJECTIVES: Ameloblastoma is a benign, slow-growing, locally invasive epithelial tumor of odontogenic origin, with unlimited growth capacity and a strong tendency to recur. This multicentric study analyzed ameloblastoma diagnosed in Nigeria among different ethnic groups. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective study included ameloblastoma cases diagnosed from 1964 to 2017 at 10 hospitals or medical centers in Nigeria. Age, sex, tribe, and location of the ameloblastoma in the jaw were analyzed. Associations between variables were tested by using χ2 and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: A total of 1246 ameloblastoma cases were recorded (mean patient age 32.51 ± 14.54 years; range 4-86 years; male-to-female ratio 1.2:1). Approximately 60% of ameloblastoma cases occurred in young adults (age range 18-40 years). Ninety-eight lesions were located in the maxilla and 1103 in the mandible; the posterior mandible was the most common site (31.3% on the right and 26.5% on the left, respectively), followed by the anterior (26.0%) mandible. No significant differences were noted in the distribution of ameloblastoma within the tribes with respect to age (P = .92) and sex (P = .71). CONCLUSIONS: The mandible is a common site of ameloblastoma in patients in Nigeria, and in most cases, it occurs in young adults. Early presentation, diagnosis, and treatment are important to reduce postoperative disfigurement and morbidity.

Perioperative findings and complications of non-vascularised iliac crest graft harvest: The experience of a Nigerian tertiary hospital.

BACKGROUND: The reconstruction of a mandibular defect remains a significant challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. In developing countries like Nigeria, the required facilities and expertise for vascularised graft surgery are not readily available, thus mandibular defects are commonly reconstructed with non-vascularised bone grafts. The aim of this study is to describe the experience with the reconstruction of mandibular defects using non-vascularised iliac crest bone grafts (NVICBG) at a Nigerian tertiary hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a descriptive longitudinal study in which data was prospectively collected from patients who had mandibular reconstruction secondary to benign lesions using NVICBG at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, over a 24-month period. Information recorded included demography, cause of mandibular defect, type of mandibular resection, span of defect, peri-operative data, recipient site complications and donor site complications. Patient satisfaction with facial aesthetic outcome was assessed with the use of visual analogue scale score. RESULTS: Twenty patients had mandibular resection and immediate reconstruction with NVICBG. The mean age was 31.61 (+/-11.05) years. Mean span of the defects was 10.65 (+/-2.88) cm. At the recipient site, two patients had extra-oral wound dehiscence and two patients had intra-oral wound dehiscence of which one patient had loss of the graft. Donor site complications noted were seromas and wound dehiscence. Eighteen patients had paraesthesia of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. All patients had temporary abnormal gait. The mean duration of abnormal gait was 2.11 weeks (SD +/-0.74). Majority of the patients were satisfied with the aesthetic outcome. CONCLUSION: NVICBG, though limited in its versatility has satisfactory aesthetic outcome with relatively few complications. It appears that this method of reconstruction can be used even for large mandibular defects contrary to perceptions of many reconstructive surgeons.