[Osteomas of the jaws. A clinical and rehabilitative problem]

The authors study, based on three cases of maxillary osteoma brought to their attention, evaluates the most suitable type of operation to perform, and the method with which to attention which to approach the problem of postoperative functional rehabilitation. This pathological condition is characterized by slow developments and the late appearance of symptoms deriving from the invasion of surrounding tissues. The chosen technique is surgery, involving the removal of the neoplasm. The benign nature of the neoplasm makes conservative surgery possible, including the partial removal of the neoplasm, in order to preserve the bone tissue indispensable for prosthetic rehabilitation. In cases in which the neoplasm spreads to surrounding tissues, in which more destructive surgery is required with an attendant loss of considerable portions of bone, we have used osteo-muscular pedicle flaps in combination with implantation techniques to obtain adequate functional and prosthetic rehabilitation.