Year : 2022

Volume : Volume 13

Issue : Issue 1

Address for correspondence :
M. Muthu Selva Priya
muthselvpriy@gmail.com

Abstract

Oro antral communication is an unnatural communication between the oral cavity and the maxillary sinus which becomes an oroantral fistula (OAF) when it is patent and becomes epithelialized. It is most common following extraction of maxillary posterior teeth because of the proximity of the root apices to the sinus floor. Surgical closure is indicated in cases where the size of the opening is greater than 4–5 mm, in patients with sinus disease regardless of the size of the opening and in cases of persistent communication. Various techniques have been described in the literature for the closure of OAF ranging from local flaps like buccal advancement flap to complex distal flaps such as the tongue flap to bone grafts. The choice of the method used for the closure depends on the size of the defect, its location, and few other factors. The purpose of this article is to report a case of OAF which has been treated with buccal advancement flap and to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this approach.

Keywords: Closure, Flap, Oro antral fistula.