A reappraisal of the interposed bone graft augmentation of the atrophic mandible.

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.