Correlation between Schneiderian membrane perforation and sinus lift graft outcome: a retrospective evaluation of 359 augmented sinus.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of sinus membrane perforation in maxillary sinus augmentation surgery using a lateral approach and the impact of sinus integrity on incidence of sinusitis and bone graft survival in the maxillary sinus.

Patients And Methods: A total of 359 sinus augmentation procedures (208 patients) were evaluated retrospectively for sinus integrity during augmentation, complications, graft failure, and implant loss.

Results: The incidence of sinus membrane perforation was 41%. There was an overall sinus graft failure rate of 6.7%; of the failed sinus grafts, 70.8% had a perforated sinus membrane at augmentation. There were 11.3% of sinuses with perforated membranes at graft placement that failed compared with 3.4% of sinuses with intact membranes failing (general linear model [GLM], P = .003). Age, gender, and provider type were not significantly associated with sinus integrity at 1 year. Overall, 11.3% of sinuses with perforated membranes at graft placement required secondary antibiotics for sinusitis and infection compared with 1.4% of sinuses with intact membranes (GLM, P < .0006). Of the sinuses requiring secondary antibiotics, 30% failed compared with 5% of untreated sinuses (GLM, P = .0071). Of the sinuses developing sinusitis or secondary infection requiring antibiotics, 85% had a membrane perforation during augmentation compared with 39.2% of those not requiring antibiotics; gender, age, and provider were not associated with antibiotic use.

Conclusions: In the present study, antibiotic use for postoperative sinusitis and infection and graft failure were shown to be statistically higher in sinuses with perforated membranes at augmentation.