Feasibility of conical biodegradable polyurethane foam for closure of oroantral communications
Susan H Visscher1, Baucke Van Minnen, Rudolf R M Bos
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. s.visscher@kchir.umcg.nl
Purpose:
To assess the feasibility of a conically shaped biodegradable polyurethane (PU) foam for closure of oroantral communications (OACs).
Patients And Methods:
In 10 consecutive patients, fresh OACs (present for <24 hours) were closed with PU foam. Standardized evaluations were performed at 2 and 8 weeks after closure of the OAC. Success was considered permanent closure of the OAC.
Results:
No complications were observed in 7 of the 10 patients. Of the other 3 patients, 1 developed a maxillary sinusitis that was successfully managed with antibiotics and the OAC recurred in 2 patients.
Conclusions:
Permanent closure of the OAC using PU foam was accomplished in 8 of 10 patients. The results obtained in the present study were more favorable than in a previous feasibility study. Therefore, the alterations in the treatment protocol were maintained for additional research of this new and straightforward treatment strategy. In general, closure of OACs with biodegradable PU foam is feasible and has the potential to make surgical treatment unnecessary for a large number of patients with OACs.
