[Twenty years follow-up of a case of extensive osteoradionecrosis (author's transl)].

A patient was found to have the first signs of a fibrous dysplasia of the left maxilla 50 years ago. At that time it was thought to be a maxillary sarcoma and was treated by irradiation on two occasions. The authors first saw the patient 20 years ago when he presented for treatment of an extensive degenerated osteoradionecrosis due to the previous irradiation therapy. Excision and reconstructive treatment caused many medical, psychological, and surgical problems. A part from the interest aroused by the numerous surgical repair procedures carried out, the essentially iatrogenic nature of the lesion and its effect on the life of this unfortunate patient convinced the authors of the need for publishing this rather sad history.