• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.194-197
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• 2015

The amniotic membrane is the innermost layer of fetal membrane and is attached to the chorion in the placenta. This membrane has been used for nearly a century in varied fields such as ophthalmology, reconstructive surgery, and burn treatment. In this case report, we used a human amniotic membrane to repair an iatrogenic oroantral communication that occurred during the extraction of the patient's right upper second molar. A splint was given after the perforation was covered with human amniotic membrane and healing was clinically evaluated at various intervals. The outcome of the study revealed that the human amniotic membrane was an efficient graft material for repairing the defect caused by an iatrogenic oroantral communication following tooth extraction.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.297-300
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• 2000

The author evaluated the effectiveness of pedicled buccal fat pad grafts for closure of oroantral communications. Nine patients with chronic oroantral communications and one patient with an oronasal communication were treated with pedicled buccal fat grafts. They were treated successfully in all cases, and there were no postoperative complications (i. e. shallow buccal vestibule), and minimal patient discomforts. It was concluded that this was a easy and time fast method for closure of oral defects and had wide application and high successful rate.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.41
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• pp.50.1-50.6
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• 2019

Purpose: Maxillary bone grafts and implantations have increased over recent years despite a lack of maxillary bone quality and quantity. The number of patients referred for oroantral fistula (OAF) due to implant or bone graft failure has increased, and in patients with an oroantral fistula, the pedicled buccal fat pad is viewed as a robust, reliable option. This study was conducted to document the usefulness of buccal fat pad grafts for oroantral fistula closure. Materials and methods: We retrospectively studied 25 patients with OAF treated with a buccal fat pad graft from 2015 to 2018. Sex, age, OAF location, cause, duration, presence of systemic disease, smoking, previous dental surgery, and side effects were investigated. Results: A total of 25 patients were studied. Mean patient age was 54.8 years, and the male to female ratio was 19: 6. Causes of oroantral fistula were cyst enucleation, tumor resection, implant removal, bone graft failure, and extraction. Excellent results were obtained in 23 (92%) of the 25 patients. In the other two patients that both smoked, a small fistula was observed during follow-up. No recurrence of oroantral fistula was observed after 2 months to 1 year of follow-up. Conclusions: The incidence of oroantral fistula is increasing due to implant and bone graft failures. Oroantral fistula closure using a pedicled buccal fat pad was found to have a high success rate.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.58-65
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• 2020

Oroantral fistula (OAF), also termed oroantral communication, is an abnormal condition in which there is a communicating tract between the maxillary sinus and the oral cavity. The most common causes of this pathological communication are known to be dental implant surgery and extraction of posterior maxillary teeth. The purpose of this article is to describe OAF; introduce the approach algorithm for the treatment of OAF; and review the fundamental surgical techniques for fistula closure with their advantages and disadvantages. The author included a thorough review of the previous studies acquired from the PubMed database. Based on this review, this article presents cases of OAF patients treated with buccal flap, buccal fat pad (BFP), and palatal rotational flap techniques.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.163-168
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• 2023

An oroantral fistula (OAF) or oroantral communication (OAC) is an opening between the oral cavity and the maxillary sinus. If left untreated, these openings may cause chronic maxillary sinusitis. Although small defects (diameter <5 mm) may close spontaneously, larger communications require surgical intervention. Various studies have been conducted on OAC closure using a platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) membrane; most of these prior studies have involved simple direct application of PRF clots. This study introduces a new "double-barrier technique" using PRF for closure of an OAF involving sinus mucosal lifting and closure. The PRF material is inserted into the prepared maxillary sinus space, and the buccal advancement flap covers the oral side. This technique was successfully used to treat two patients with chronic OAF in the posterior maxillary region after implant removal or tooth extraction. The use of a PRF membrane in a double-barrier technique may have advantages in soft-tissue healing and could enable easy closure of chronic OAF with minimal trauma.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.212-216
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• 2019

Zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures account for a substantial proportion of trauma cases. The most frequent complications of maxillofacial fracture treatment are infections and soft tissue flap dehiscence. Postoperative infections nearly always resolve in response to oral antibiotics and local wound care. However, a significant infection can cause a permanent fistula. A 52-year-old man visited our clinic to treat an oroantral fistula (OAF), which was a late complication of a ZMC fracture. Postoperatively, the oral suture site dehisced, exposing the absorbable plate. However, he did not seek treatment. After 5 years, an OAF formed with a $2.0{\times}2.0cm$ bony defect on the left maxilla. We completely excised the OAF, harvested a piece of corticocancellous bone from the iliac crest, inserted the harvested bone into the defect, and covered the soft tissue defect with a buccal mucosal transposition flap. Although it is necessary to excise OAFs, the failure rate is higher for large OAFs (> 5 mm in diameter) because of the extensive defect in the underlying bone that supports the overlying flap. Inappropriate management of postoperative wounds after a ZMC fracture can lead to disastrous outcomes, as in this case. Therefore, proper postoperative treatment and follow-up are essential.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.307-311
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• 2021

Purpose: An oroantral communication (OAC) is an abnormal space between the maxillary sinus and oral cavity. The causes, complications, treatment, and radiographic features of OAC in 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional imaging modalities are discussed. Materials and Methods: This pictorial review presents a broad spectrum of imaging findings of OAC. Representative radiographs depicting OAC were chosen from our database. PubMed was used to conduct a comprehensive literature search of OAC. Results: Characteristic features of OAC include discontinuity of the maxillary sinus floor, thickening of the maxillary sinus mucosa, or a combination of both. Two-dimensional imaging modalities are the method of choice for identifying discontinuities in the maxillary sinus floor. However, 3-dimensional imaging modalities are also essential for determining the status of soft tissue in the maxillary sinus. Conclusion: The integration of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional imaging modalities is crucial for the correct diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of OAC. However, the diagnosis of OAC must be confirmed clinically to prevent unnecessary mental and financial burdens to patients.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.39
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• pp.13.1-13.8
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• 2017

Background: Oronasal/antral communication, loss of teeth and/or tooth-supporting bone, and facial contour deformity may occur as a consequence of maxillectomy for cancer. As a result, speaking, chewing, swallowing, and appearance are variably affected. The restoration is focused on rebuilding the oronasal wall, using either flaps (local or free) for primary closure, either prosthetic obturator. Postoperative radiotherapy surely postpones every dental procedure aimed to set fixed devices, often makes it difficult and risky, even unfeasible. Regular prosthesis, tooth-bearing obturator, and endosseous implants (in native and/or transplanted bone) are used in order to complete dental rehabilitation. Zygomatic implantology (ZI) is a valid, usually delayed, multi-staged procedure, either after having primarily closed the oronasal/antral communication or after left it untreated or amended with obturator. The present paper is an early report of a relatively new, one-stage approach for rehabilitation of patients after tumour resection, with palatal repair with loco-regional flaps and zygomatic implant insertion: supposed advantages are concentration of surgical procedures, reduced time of rehabilitation, and lowered patient discomfort. Cases presentation: We report three patients who underwent alveolo-maxillary resection for cancer and had the resulting oroantral communication directly closed with loco-regional flaps. Simultaneous zygomatic implant insertion was added, in view of granting the optimal dental rehabilitation. Conclusions: All surgical procedures were successful in terms of oroantral separation and implant survival. One patient had the fixed dental restoration just after 3 months, and the others had to receive postoperative radiotherapy; thus, rehabilitation timing was longer, as expected. We think this approach could improve the outcome in selected patients.