Abstract
BACKGROUND: Localized juvenile spongiotic gingival hyperplasia (LJSGH) is a rare, benign gingival lesion with distinctive clinicopathological features. Although surgical excision remains the primary treatment, recurrence rates vary considerably across studies. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the recurrence rate of LJSGH following excision and identify associated risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and WHO LILACS database for articles published until April 2025. Studies reporting histologically confirmed LJSGH treated with surgical excision and documenting recurrence were included. Quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute checklists and ROBINS-I tools. Statistical analysis employed fixed-effects models with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Thirteen studies encompassing 119 patients met the inclusion criteria. The pooled recurrence rate was 7% (95% CI: 0.01-30.00%), with individual rates ranging from 0% to 66.7%. Most recurrences occurred within 2-8 months postoperatively (68.4%), though some were reported up to 5 years. Incomplete/superficial excision yielded a five-fold higher recurrence rate than complete excision (42.1% vs. 8.3%). Between-study heterogeneity rose to a negligible level, and no small-study effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: LJSGH presents a low recurrence risk post-excision. Complete excision with adequate margins is key to prevention. Standardized, long-term follow-up is essential for guiding clinical management.