The management of odontogenic keratocysts (OKC) remains a hotly debated topic in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Despite numerous studies and systematic reviews on treatment options, there is a lack of consensus and no accepted protocol on the management of OKC. Hence, the aim of this study was to briefly summarize all large systematic reviews in the literature on the management of OKC and formulate an evidence-based management protocol. Data from five large systematic reviews were combined to calculate the mean recurrence rate for each technique. Decompression followed by enucleation along with adjuvant methods such as application of Carnoy's solution and peripheral ostectomy can result in very low recurrence and is an acceptable first line treatment. The surgical approach should be determined by lesion size, patient age, proximity to vital structures, accessibility, soft tissue/cortical perforation, and if the lesion is recurrent.
Keywords: Clinical protocols; Keratocysts; Odontogenic cyst; Recurrence; Treatment.