Oroantral communications. A retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE To analyze characteristics, clinical evolution and surgical techniques of oroantral communication (OAC). STUDY DESIGN We included all patients operated at the University Central Hospital (Oviedo, Spain) between 1996 and 2007. The variables assessed were age, sex, medical history, OAC size, sinus disease, surgical technique, duration of hospitalization and post-surgical evolution. RESULTS We analyzed 12 patients (7 men and 5 women) with an average age of 47.5 years. The most frequent cause of oroantral communication was the extraction of the first upper molar. The average size of fistula was 0.9 cm. Buccal flap repair was used in 7 patients, palatal rotation-advancement flap in 4 patients and buccal fat pad in only one patient. Suture dehiscence was observed in one patient treated with a palatal flap, but no additional surgery was required. Three OAC recurred; all of them following a buccal flap procedure. All recurrences spontaneously closed between one and four months following the procedure. CONCLUSIONS OACs are rare complications and treatment should be individualized to avoid further complications.