Meta-analytic study on the frequency and treatmentof oral antral communications

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine the optimum surgical treatment for oral antral communications (OAC) and to understandthe main post-operative complications.Study Design: Meta-analytical, observational and retrospective study of 1,072 cases of OAC obtained from aliterature review of 15 articles.Results: OAC occur slightly more often in men and during the fourth decade of life. Its primary etiological factoris dental extraction, most often affecting the third molar. The most common treatment has been the use of Bichat’sfat pad grafts, whereas the technique with the highest percentage of complications has been the use of the palatalrotation flap. The most frequent complication has been the fistulization of the OAC.Conclusions: Early diagnosis of OAC and its treatment within 48 hours of evolution are fundamental in order toproperly resolve this pathology. The use of Bichat’s fat pad grafts is a simple technique that offers excellent vascularizationand results (AU)