Based on the dissection of 30 hemi-mandibles, the authors report a study of the inferior alveolar artery in its intraosseous course. On morphologic considerations they propose a classification of the collaterals into two groups: the principal collaterals destined for the teeth and the bony alveolar tissue and the secondary collaterals destined for the sheath and the nerve as well as the bony tissue around the canal. Loss of the teeth and absorption of the alveolar bone modify the caliber of the inferior alveolar arterial axis, the distribution of its collaterals and possibly its mode of termination. These facts suggest a consideration of the vascularization of the mandible in terms of four sectors. They arrive at practical conclusions that may be drawn from this study in stomatology.

The Orion coronary angioplasty improved balloon on a wire system was used in 42 patients (53 stenoses) including 5 patients with acute myocardial infarction, 18 patients with unstable angina, and 4 patients with kissing balloon angioplasty via a single guiding catheter. All stenoses were crossed successfully and the immediate and in-hospital success rates were 98 and 93%, respectively. The simple construction, low profile, and improved steerability allowed successful and quick angioplasty of high grade stenotic lesions. This balloon catheter represents a significant advance in angioplasty technology.