Managing Oroantral Fistula With Chronic Osteomyelitis Using a Nasolabial Flap: A Case Report

Oroantral fistula (OAF) represents the pathological communication between the oral cavity and maxillary sinus. This condition arises when the structural integrity of the maxillary sinus floor is compromised, resulting in a direct conduit between the sinus and the oral cavity. A less prevalent yet clinically significant contributor to the formation of OAF is chronic osteomyelitis of the maxilla. Therapeutic approaches for OAF are contingent upon the dimensions of the defect, underlying causative factors, and specific patient characteristics. Among the diverse treatment options, nasolabial flap has been recognized as an efficacious and dependable method for the reconstruction of OAF, particularly in cases involving extensive or recurrent defects. The current case report delineates the management of a recurrent OAF in a 52-year-old male patient, which was further complicated by chronic osteomyelitis and managed through nasolabial flap surgical intervention.