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Increased infection rates of sinus floor elevations after the use of a bone filter
Nicolai M Purcz1, Falk Birkenfeld, Marc Oetke
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Straße 3, Haus 26, 24105, Kiel, Germany.
Objectives:
The collection of bone debris during the preparation of sinus floor augmentations is a commonly used technique for avoiding autologous bone transplants and thereby reducing donor site morbidity. However, the collected bone debris has a higher risk of bacterial contamination. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse whether the use of a bone filter had an impact on the infection rates after sinus floor augmentation.
Materials And Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted of 340 sinus floor elevations (136 using a bone filter) in 249 patients. The sinus floor elevations were performed with the lateral approach.
Results:
Localised infection occurred in 7.0 % (24 of 340) of the sinus floor elevations. In 40.0 % of the cases, a bone filter was used, and in this group, the infection rate was 13.0 %. In the control group, the infection rate was 4.0 %. One hundred one patients received bone transplants from the iliac crest, and these patients had a lower infection rate of 2.0 %. Stepwise factor reduction, according to Akaike, showed the use of a bone filter to be the most relevant factor for postoperative infection.
Conclusions:
To reduce the amount of bacteria, full-mouth disinfection with chemical agents and a strict aspiration protocol should be used when a bone filter is applied. Antibiotic prophylaxis should be prescribed to reduce the risk of postoperative infections further.
Clinical Relevance:
In use of a bone filter, there is the possibility of higher infection rates of sinus floor augmentations.
