[The management of sinus tracts of dental origin]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of conservative endodontic therapy of 86 fistulous cases of dental origin at the Department of Conservative Dentistry, Kaohsiung Medical College Hospital. Approximately 60% (52/86) endodontically treated teeth, with a minimum recall period of 6 months, were evaluated for success or failure. The results are as follows: (1) The overall success rate was 82.7% (43/52) fistulous cases. There was no significant statistical difference between male and female patients. (2) There was a better success rate with cases over a 2-year recall period than with cases under a 2-year recall period, but there was no significant statistical difference between these two groups. (3) Cases with periapical pathosis less than 5 mm in diameter, had a better success rate than those with periapical pathosis larger than 5 mm in diameter, but there was no significant statistical difference between these two groups. (4) There was a 79.1% (34/43) success rate in non-surgically treated cases, and a 66.7% success rate (6/9, excluding three successfully retreated cases which had been originally treated with a non-surgical technique) in surgically treated cases.