Lateral sinus floor elevation in patients with sinus floor defects: A retrospective study with a 1- to 9-year...

We aimed to retrospectively evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of lateral sinus floor elevation (LSFE) in patients with sinus floor defects.

Between 2008 and 2020, patients with sinus floor defects were recruited after confirmation on preoperative cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The split-thickness flap technique with a palatal crestal incision was used to manage tissue adhesion in the bone defects area. A resorbable collagen membrane was used to close the sinus floor defects from the crestal side before bone substitute placement. Of 58 implants, 47 (81.0%) were placed after an 8-month healing period, whereas 11 were placed simultaneously. Patients were followed up by radiography and clinical examination for 1-9 years. Finally, the cumulative survival rate (CSR) of implants, surgical complications, and marginal bone loss (MBL) were recorded and analyzed.

In total, LSFE was performed in 36 sinuses (35 patients) with sinus floor defects, of which surgery was completed in 35 sinuses (97.2%) in the first attempt. Schneiderian membrane perforations (SMP) occurred in 10/36 (27.8%) sinuses; nine were repaired carefully, whereas one surgery was suspended due to complicated SMP, and successful re-entry LSFE was performed 4 months later. After a follow-up period of 1-9 years, the CSR was 96.5% at the 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, and 7-year follow-ups and 64.3% at the 8-year follow-up.

Within the limitations of this study, sinus floor defects seem not to compromise LSFE therapy after appropriate management and long-term clinical outcomes are predictable.