[Reconstruction of continuity after resection of the mandible]

By way of introduction, the authors deal briefly with problems resulting from a continuity resection of the lower jaw with regard to the patient's physiological functions, psychological reactions and social position. They give a short historical survey of the development in this field and, utilizing the pertinent literature, they outline the present state. In the light of their own experience, the authors discuss the immediate reconstruction of the lower jaw by means of modern osteosynthesis techniques. The reconstruction is achieved by the use of autoplastic and xenoplastic material, among other things, also by boiling-out and replanting the resected bone. In addition, results from clinical, radiographical and histological re-examinations are presented.