PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF INTRA-OPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS IN MAXILLARY SINUS AUGMENTATION USING THE LATERAL APPROACH? A REVIEW

The lateral approach for maxillary sinus grafting has become a routine technique with an implant survivalrate over 96% in the maxillary posterior region. However, this technique may be associated with some complications that may occur at different time points and influence short and long-term implant survivalrate. This article is dedicated to intra operative complications which are mainly due to anatomical variations such as the shape of the sinus, the presence of septa and other particularities such as the intraosseous passage of the antral alveolar artery which may interfere with the position of the vestibular window. In order to identify the risk and prevent the complications, a perfect knowledge of the anatomy is therefore essential. If a complication does occur, it must be treated in an efficient manner to prevent the postoperative complications that may follow, in the form of chronic or acute sinusitis. The prevalence of intra operative complications is conversely proportional to the surgeon’s skill and experience without an influence on implant survival if they are properly managed.