Occurrence of maxillary sinus membrane perforation following nasal suction technique and ultrasonic approach versus conventional technique with rotary instruments

The authors compared the efficacy of 2 different techniques for sinus membrane elevation for maxillary lining lifted using a lateral window approach: nasal suction technique and ultrasonic surgery approach versus traditional approach. Thirty partially edentulous patients, having bilaterally 1 to 5 mm of residual bone height and at least 5 mm bone width below the maxillary sinuses as measured on computed tomography scans, were randomized to receive two 2-stage sinus lift procedures using the lateral window approach. On one side, the sinus lining the membrane was elevated with nasal suction technique and ultrasonic surgery approach, whereas on the contralateral side the membrane was elevated after osteotomy prepared using a round oral surgery bur. No patient dropped out. Four small perforations of membrane (<5 mm) were observed in group 1 (control) but not in group 2 (test). A statistically significant difference was present between the incidence of sinus membrane perforation in group 1 versus 2 (control versus test) (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the sinus lift with ultrasonic surgery and nasal suction technique was used to prevent a perforation of sinus membrane.