This is no surprise that the author, who has a penchant for detail, writes this book with all good intention covering maximum of information on the subject.

The Synopsis of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (An Update Overview) will be eventually-ideal not only for the students but also for the senior practitioners and teachers of this speciality too.

For the students, teachers, and practitioners who like to know the historical and the minutiae of this speciality, this is the book of choice.

This is what our teachers and mentors taught Pradip and I, and, this handbook will surely pass on this message to our future generation of oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

My special emphasis is given to project the ideas on the subject mainly for undergraduate level, but it can be considered as bridge book in between undergraduate and postgraduate students too. The present subject is changing dynamically day-to-day. Therefore, my intention is limited to focus on the subject as much as possible.

Though I have started write this book very slowly with constant patience with alteration, additions, necessary corrections, omission and improvisation and took lot of time. But I am still not satisfied for ensuing publication of the book.

This book is my humble and honest presentation in lucid and understandable language for our present and future students.

Though the title of the book is an update overview but certain old concepts are still alive and used in recent time, mentioned in this book. Such as, ‘Alveolar Purchase’ a technique described by Gustav Kruger. ‘Stick Tie’ by La Quentein Royer recommended a method to control bleeding following injury to the greater palatine artery. The Stobie technique one of the method of extraction and migratory abscess of buccal sulcus, is a common important condition explained by Prof GL Howe.

The present author fortunate enough to attend the British Oral Surgeon's Conference held in London in the year 1990, during his Post PG Training Program in Eastman and University College Hospital, London.

The Scandenavian oral pathologist Professor Vorsmith delivered a lecture on primordial cyst; he discussed the tremendous growth potential of the cyst, explaining the treatment modalities after enucleation and careful curettage recommended the use of Cornoy's solution, as chemocautarization for destruction of any remnants of cystic lining if present. Majority of the participants asked Prof Vorsmith about composition and use of Cornoy's solution, but it was surprisingly to be mentioned our legend authorities like Prof Kurt H Thoma and Prof Harry Archer discussed long before.

Another operation I have to have mentioned where the Norwegian Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Mayerhaug described an eminectomy technique in the year 1952, till now, considered as ultramodern method and it was also supported by eminent Prof William Irby and Prof Wanderkwast.

Late Prof Ivor RH Kramer's dictum the management of ameloblastoma in the year 1965, is still alive and also supported by MacIntosh and Marx et al 1991/93.

Recent concepts to TMJDS/MPDS/FAM. The growth and development of odontogenic cyst, osteoclast activating factor (OAF) are quoted and recorded from Hunterian lecture of Prof Malcolm Harris in March 1974 mentioned in this book.

I am indebted a lot to my respected and beloved teachers, Late Prof Arabinda Dutta, Prof PV Janardhanan and especially to legend Prof Malcolm Harris to write this book.

Thought's knowledge, notes, lectures, total concepts, clinical discussion, operative session and perspective of Prof Harris are instilled and saturated in every page of my book, such as ultrasound treatment in ORN. Facial pain lecture, calcitonin therapy in central giant cell lesion, an appraisal of TM Jt ankylosis over 15 years review of management and so many things.

I am grateful to Prof Teruo Ito of Nagasaki University of Japan and Prof Valerian Popescu Institute of Medicine Bucharest, Rumania, for a new technique of repair of oroantral fistula and treatment method of hemangioma. I am also grateful to Prof Heinz Kole of Graz University, Austria and Bruce N Epkar for personal communication in early 80s regarding orthognathic surgery.10

In most of the chapters, I intend to put a heading named ‘Analytical Observation’, which contains comments and concepts of various observer as well as important points for discussion and reappraisal and ready references for the readers.

Lastly, I mention the Snawdon's technique for treatment of large maxillary dental and dentigerous cyst involving maxillary antrum, which was appraised by Margarate and Prof Gordon R Seward in their excellent review article, which contains the observation of Prof Ficking. I convey my deepest respect to Prof Kali HC Kapadia having, an extra-large sympathetic heart and loveable teacher who gave valuable time for correction, addition, alteration, and suggestion for few chapters and forward of my book.

I know my maiden sincere efforts having many mistakes, omission etc need more correction, alteration and addition. I personally feel elated and welcome the constructive criticism from all corners of the learned readers.

Lastly, I convey my best wishes and love to Dr Kamala P Singh, Chairman and DG, Sarjug Dental College, Darbhanga and specially to all my students and colleagues past, present and future.

I personally submit my humble deep gratitude and acknowledge the legendary authorities, which enriched my thoughts, knowledge indirectly and directly during my movements in academic field. Some of them are deceased; man is mortal but their extensive work is still alive and countable beyond the ages.

I like to mention the following legendary authorities, which include Prof Kurt H Thoma, Prof Harry Archer, Prof Gustav Kruger, Prof William Irby, Prof Charles A Waldron, Prof Shafer, Sir William K Fry, Sir Terrence G Ward, Prof JR Moore, Prof Toller, Prof Poswillo, Prof Lucas, Prof D Laskin, Prof Paul Bramley, Prof Heinz Kole, Prof Ivor RH Kramer, Prof Homer C Killy, Prof Norman Rowe, Prof GL Howe, Prof John William, Bruce N Epkar Peter Bank, Prof Jens J Pindborg, Prof Gordon and Margarrette Seward obviously Prof Malcolm Harris and so many.

I convey my best wishes and regards to my ex-teachers mainly Prof Arup K Das, Late Prof Arabinda Dutta, Prof PV Janardhanan, Late Dr Sankarananda Talukdar, Dr SN Sikdar.

I am indebted a lot and regard to my mentors late Pabitra Kumar Ghosh the then Private Secretary to CM West Bengal and Prof Ramendranath Kundu; without their help, it is not possible for me to reach this level presently. I also convey my sincere thanks and love to my well-wisher family friend Sri Sumantra Chowdhury, MSc, IAS for constant encouragement in my life.

I still remember ever-smiling Dr K Kamal, Dr Uma Maheswari and Jovial Dr Mahalingam, Dr Manivannan the then academic staff members of the Department and still remember the tough administrator but soft-spoken to me Prof BP Rajan (The then principal, Madras Dental College). I still remember the Senior Prof B Srinivasan of Annamalai University. I am grateful to Prof D Basak, MS Mch for writing the chapter of Cleft Palate and Cleft Lip. I am also grateful to Prof S Srivastava, MD Pharmacology, Ex-principal, DMC for his kind co-operation. I also convey my thanks to Sri Promod K Singh and Sri Lalan Singh, Directors, Sarjug Dental College and my family friend and well-wisher Sri Biplob Chakraborty for his moral support.

I convey my best wishes and love to my family for their constant encouragement for writing this book. I also convey my sincere thanks to my batchmate Prof TK Saha, Ex. Principal R Ahmed Dental College and past PG students specially Dr Debdutta Das MDS, Dr Nupur Chakraborty MDS, Dr Amit Roy Jr MDS, Dr Monimoy Banerjee, MDS and Dr BK Biswas, MDS, Dr Sunil Thapar for their intense involvement in writing this book.

I also convey thanks to Sri Jayanta Chatterjee, my DTP typist for his efforts to publish my book.

I also thank Shri JP Vij, Chairman and Managing Director, Mr Tarun Duneja, GM (Publishing), Mr PS Ghuman, Senior Production Manager, Ms Mubeen Bano, Mr Bharat Bhushan and Mr Sanjoy Chakraborty, RSM (Kolkata) of Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers for their entire support.