The effects of sinus membrane pathology on bone augmentation and procedural outcome using minimal invasive antral membrane balloon elevation.

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: Membrane pathology tends to complicate the post procedural course of open sinus lift by ostio-meatal complex (OMC) obstruction and consequently acute sinusitis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcome of subjects with considerable sinus membrane pathology undergoing maxillary sinus floor augmentation and simultaneously implants placement using the minimal invasive antral membrane balloon elevation (MIAMBE) method. Material and methods: Retrospective chart review of MIAMBE procedures performed in the presence of significant sinus membrane pathology. Results: 16 patients with maxillary sinus membrane thickening in well ventilated OMC as determined by dental computerized tomography (CT) underwent sinus augmentation and simultaneous implants placement using the MIAMBE technique. All 16 procedures were successfully concluded without significant procedural or post-procedural complications or implant failure. Post MIAMBE membrane pathology regressed or disappeared in 8 patients (50%) or remained unchanged in six 6 patients (37.5%), while in 2 patients the sinus membrane pathology was limited to evaluation by periapical x-rays. Conclusions: Sinus augmentation using the MIAMBE technique can be performed safely in asymptomatic patients in the presence of sinus membrane pathology if the OMC is not obstructed. In significant proportion of these cases complete resolution of the membrane pathology after MIAMBE is observed. When compared to open sinus lift, OMC obstruction is less likely to occur when employing the MIAMBE method.