Surgical Complications Related to Zygomatic Implants GCCG Supplement Submission

The First Global Consensus for Clinical Guidelines recommendations and framework for the rehabilitation of the edentulous maxilla was published in 2026. The guideline defines 36 consensus- based recommendations mapped to 34 COS outcomes, covering all phases of care, patient selection, diagnostics, surgical and prosthetic treatment, complication management, and maintenance. It emphasizes shared decision-making, prosthetically driven planning, immediate protocols when feasible, and risk- based maintenance to prevent surgical, biological, and technical complications. A clinical workflow checklist and decision trees support practical implementation. Zygomatic implants were studied as part of treatment alternatives, and as last resort for extremely atrophic maxillae. The conclusion regarding zygomatic implants is that they may serve as a valuable option in cases of severe maxillary atrophy where grafting is not feasible, as they enable functional rehabilitation. They may also provide the possibility of immediate loading. However, they are associated with higher intraoperative and biological complication rates compared with standard- length implants. Two clinical cases are presented to illustrate the two most common complications related to zygomatic implants, soft tissue dehiscence and rhinosinusitis with oro-antral fistula.