[Prospects of surgical treatment in hydantoin-induced gingival hyperplasia]

During the past 20 years, gingivectomies were carried out in 100 out-patients of the maxillo-facial clinic of the Heidelberg university hospitals because of intensive gingival hyperplasia. 57% of the patients were epileptics who had been hydantoin-containing preparations. Follow-ups were made in 41 patients. The group of epileptics was critically compared with that of non-epileptics. In addition to the rate of recurrences, especially oral hygiene, existing bite abnormalities and the degree of mental retardation were considered. It was surprising that the number of recurrences did not drop when the hydantoin containing preparation was postoperatively discontinued. Even in edentulous regions of the jaws of two patients, recurrences of considerable size were found.