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A case of a large angiolipoma of the hard palate is presented. This constitutes a new site for this type of tumour.

A clinical study on 54 patients, who underwent augmentation of the atrophic mandible by interposed bone-grafts, but in whom routine follow-up vestibuloplasty was deliberately avoided, is presented. The results show a reduced rate of bone resorption in the anterior region and less interference with lip and chin sensibility. An additional study is included concerning the fate of the elevated ridge and associated bone-graft in the body region posterior to the mental foramen. Results suggest that the resorption pattern in this area is very similar to that of a subperiosteal bone-graft. Modification of surgical technique in this regard has produced encouraging results.

A follow-up study on 41 patients who had augmentation of the atrophic mandible by interposed bone graft is presented. Special emphasis has been put on the prosthetic implications. The rapid reduction in height measured postoperatively appeared almost to cease after 6 months. Some of the possible causes of this phenomenon are discussed.

A follow-up on 148 patients who had undergone an interposed bonegraft augmentation of the atrophic mandible is presented. The first group consisted of 38 patients who underwent surgery 4-6 years ago. The second group of 70 patients has a follow-up period of 3 to 4 years. The third group of 40 patients was followed up from 2 to 3 years postoperatively. The phenomenon of post-operative bone resorption which continues for many years postoperatively, is discussed. The high incidence of nerve disturbances as found in this study is regarded as unacceptable. The dissection of the mandibular nerve out of its canal (decompression) in order to avoid nerve damage during the operation is not found to be of any advantage. A modified technique is recommended to circumvent this problem.

The clinical and histological data of 106 keratocysts from the files of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Nijmegen and Arnhem, The Netherlands, formed the basis of this study. There was a wide age range with a male predominance and with the mandibular third molar area and ramus being the most common sites involved. Special attention has been drawn to the various ways in which recurrent keratocysts may develop. In the present study the recurrence rate of two groups of patients, treated according to two different concepts in the surgical management of keratocysts, are compared. As a result of a 21-year follow-up on 92 keratocysts a rational approach to the surgical treatment to eliminate a high recurrence rate is suggested.

Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint is a rare condition. A case of acute staphylococcal suppurative arthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) complicating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a 53 year old woman is reported. The aetiology of septic arthritis may be traced to several predisposing factors and many specific agents. It would appear that the case presented is the result of predisposition of patients known to have RA to the complication septic arthritis. Some treatment recommendations are given.

A review of 100 patients in whom an autogenous bone graft from the iliac inner table was used for maxillofacial surgery is presented. The conclusions are that this technique is a relatively simple, quick, safe and reliable procedure for obtaining an iliac bone graft.