Correlation Between Schneiderian Membrane Perforation and Sinus Lift Graft Outcome: A Retrospective Evaluation of 359 Augmented Sinus

PurposeThe 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 MethodsA total of 359 sinus augmentation procedures (208 patients) were evaluated retrospectively for sinus integrity during augmentation, complications, graft failure, and implant loss.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionsIn 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.