Sinus obliteration for chronic oro-antral fistula: a case report

A pedicled buccal periosteal flap for the closure of oro-antral fistula

BACKGROUND

An oroantral fistula is a communication between the maxillary antrum and oral cavity. This pathological communication is formed mainly due to dental extraction of maxillary premolars and molars. Adequate management should include closing the oroantral fistula and eliminating sinus infections to prevent recurrence and sinusitis.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of using the pedicled buccal periosteal flap for closing an oroantral fistula without changing the native intraoral structure.

PATIENTS & METHODS

Patients with oroantral fistulas were included in this study. The patients were examined clinically by Valsalva test and cheek-blowing test, the hole was probed, and the extent of the underlying bone defect was determined radiographically using computed tomography preoperatively. All patients underwent surgical closure of oroantral fistula using a pedicled buccal periosteal flap.

RESULTS

All 10 patients obtained satisfactory results with marked improvement in the function of the maxillary sinus and complete healing of oroantral fistula with no recurrence except in Case No. 5, who had a recurrence of the oroantral fistula, also there was no statistically significant difference between the vestibular depth preoperatively and postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

A pedicled buccal periosteal flap is a novel technique for oroantral fistula closure as it preserves vestibular depth with a tension-free closure flap and harbors the advantages of the regenerative potential of the periosteum.

REGISTRATION DATE

14/8/2023 REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05987943.

Non-surgical management of an oro-antral fistula in a patient with HIV infection

BACKGROUND

The risk of post-extraction complications is higher in patients who are immunosuppressed compared to other patients with normal immune function. In addition, invasive dental procedures are more likely to have serious complications in these patients. This case report demonstrates an effective non-surgical procedure to treat an oro-antral fistula in an HIV-infected man.

METHODS

The oro-antral fistula was de-epithelialized under local anaesthesia and the patient wore a surgical splint continuously, removing it only for cleaning, for an eight week period. Chlorhexidine gel was regularly applied to the fitting surface of the splint and the oro-antral communication. The patient was reviewed on a regular basis.

RESULTS

This procedure resulted in resolution of the patient's symptoms within two weeks. Complete healing of the oro-antral fistula was evident following eight weeks of wearing the surgical splint.

CONCLUSIONS

This procedure provided an effective method of treating an oro-antral fistula in an immunocompromised patient without causing any detrimental effects to the patient's overall health. Adequate pre-surgical assessment of patients prior to extractions is important in all patients to help prevent the occurrence of such complications.

Use of the Serratus Anterior Free Flap to Treat a Recurrent Oroantral Fistula

We describe the successful use of the serratus anterior free muscle flap to obliterate a recurrent oroantral fistula in a 39-year old male who 19 years before this surgery had sustained a high velocity impact to his right face with multiple subsequent corrective surgeries. There was no complication from the serratus anterior free flap surgery and no postoperative scapular winging. The serratus anterior muscle is a versatile flap and ideal for various defects. It should be considered for obliteration of oroantral fistulas when no local or regional tissue is available because of previous surgery or trauma.

Palatal rotation-advancement flap for delayed repair of oroantral fistula: a retrospective evaluation of 63 cases

OBJECTIVE

To review our 17-year clinical experience with delayed oroantral fistula repair by palatal rotation-advancement flap, and to report its advantages, disadvantages, and complications.

STUDY DESIGN

The records of 63 patients with late oroantral fistula treated by palatal rotation-advancement flap from 1984 to 2002 were reviewed. Eleven had undergone unsuccessful closure with a buccal flap. Data recorded were patient age and sex, cause of fistula, signs and symptoms, interval from appearance of fistula to repair, fistula size, radiographic appearance, method of repair, and immediate and late complications.

RESULTS

There were 35 women and 28 men aged 21 to 71 years (mean 50.3 years). Surgery was performed 3 months to 20 years after injury (mean 1.8 years). Twenty-four patients had acute maxillary sinusitis and 39 had chronic sinusitis. The main causes of oroantral fistula were extraction of the second and first molars and pathological lesions within the sinus. Average fistula size was 2.3 cm x 1.6 cm. Fifty-one repairs were preceded by Caldwell-Luc operation. All fistulas were successfully closed with the palatal rotation-advancement flap, with minimal complications on long-term follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The palatal rotation-advancement flap is recommended for the late repair of oroantral fistula owing to its good vascularization, excellent thickness and tissue bulk, and easy accessibility; it also allows for the maintenance of the vestibular-sulcus depth. It is particularly indicated in cases of unsuccessful buccal flap closure.