Surgical ciliated (postoperative maxillary) cysts have been reported extensively as occurring 6 months to 50 years after radical surgery for maxillary sinusitis. Three cases are presented in which these aggressive cysts occurred 3 to 4 years after Le Fort I, II and III mid-face osteotomies. The presentation, treatment and possible aetiology are discussed and some attempt made to clarify the descriptive terms used in the literature.