Functional endoscopic sinus surgery as an adjunctive treatment for closure of oroantral fistulae: a retrospective analysis

Abstract

Objective. The objective of this study was to report results of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) for treatment of chronic maxillary sinusitis of dental origin in a series of patients with oroantral fistulae (OAF). Study design. Fourteen patients were treated by FESS and OAF closure by local flap. Data on severity of symptoms, diagnostic endoscopy, and coronal CT scan findings, as well as intraoperative course and complications, were recorded. The follow-up period lasted up to 2 years, comprising clinical examinations and control CT scans. Results. All OAF healed uneventfully. All patients reported improvement in severity of sinusitis symptoms, which was confirmed through results of clinical examinations and control CT scans. No significant complications were recorded. No revision surgery was needed in any case. Conclusion. These results indicate that FESS, combined with OAF closure by buccal flap, might be an effective and safe option for treatment of selected cases of chronic odontogenic sinusitis with OAF. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2010; 109: 510-516)