[Maxillary sinus surgical lift. Summers' technique versus lateral surgical approach]

After an extensive review of the literature regarding maxillary sinus lift procedures, the authors report the results of a retrospective study carried out by the Institute of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Second University of Naples.

A group of 9 patients aged between 18 and 50 years old, including two females, were enrolled in this study. At the preliminary evaluation, the sites to be analysed showed a bone height between the residual crest and the sinusal membrane not exceeding 8 mm. All patients responded positively to specific preimplantation requisites. Commercially pure titanium fixtures were used as well as demineralised freeze-dried bovine bone and autologous bone graft from the retromolar region.

All patients were followed for at least 15 months and no clinical check-ups were missed during that time. No implant was lost and no cases of spire exposure were reported. Postoperative vertical bone resorption was within normal values.

Summers technique and its variations with bone grafts of various kinds represents a valid aid for edentulous maxillary rehabilitation with scarce osseous resources in the postero-superior sectors. It offers a number of advantages compared to the traditional technique using an invasive lateral approach and is more acceptable to patients. However, in spite of this positive experience, the follow-up in the literature still appears to be too short. The authors, are therefore cautious in expressing their absolute preference for Summers technique and stress the need to wait for further long-term results.