Potential risk factors for maxillary sinus membrane perforation and treatment outcome analysis

BACKGROUND: Most common complication of sinus floor elevation (SFE) is sinus membrane perforation (SMP). PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation between SMP and potential risk factors and to evaluate SMP treatment outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included patients who had undergone a SFE at Division of Oral Surgery and Orthodontics, Medical University of Graz from 2013 to 2017. Analysis of patients' records and CBCT focused on patient-related risk factors (sinus contours, thickness of membrane and lateral sinus wall, interfering septa, crossing vessels, former oroantral communication) and intervention-related risk factors (surgical approach, sides, number of tooth units, and sites). The outcome of SMP treatment was analyzed in the recalls. RESULTS: In all, 121 patients underwent 137 SFE. There were 19 cases of SMP (13.9%). Two significant factors were identified: maxillary sinus contours (P = .001) and thickness of the sinus membrane (P = .005). The sinus membrane perforation rate was highest in narrow tapered sinus contours and when the sinus membrane was thinner than 1 mm. Among 19 cases with SMP, no complications were seen upon recall. CONCLUSIONS: Maxillary sinus contours and sinus membrane thickness seem to be relevant factors for SMP. Sinus membrane perforations were successfully treated by coverage with collagen membrane.