Chronic Sinusitis: Does It Contraindicate Lateral Maxillary Sinus Lift?

Abstract

Background: Chronic sinusitis can be considered as a relative contraindication for sinus lifting procedure. Sinus lining with 6:9 mm radiographic thickening with or without partial sinus obliteration, is contraindicated for sinus lifting. Patients and Methods: A prospective comparative clinical study was carried out to evaluate the impact of chronic sinusitis on sinus lifting procedures regarding bone height and infection. Pre-operative and 6-months post-operative CBCT of 12 maxillary sinuses which underwent sinus lifting procedure with grafting and simultaneous implant placement (20 dental implants), were done to evaluate the average gained bone height. Two groups of 6 sinuses each; Group I included patients with healthy sinuses, whereas Group II included patients with chronic sinusitis ( identified by the presence of Schneiderian membrane thickening > 6 mm). Also, clinical follow-up was done to report the occurrence of any infection. Results: Statistically, there was no significant difference in average bone gain between the two groups with very small effect size; in group I: it was 7.241.45± and in group II: it was 7.231.78±. Regarding infection, there was no sinus infection in group I compared to one sinus with one implant (that was lost) in group II showed sinus infection three months postoperatively. Conclusion: Chronic sinusitis with a thickening of Schneiderian membrane > 6 mm may not be considered as a contraindication for sinus lifting with grafting and simultaneous implant placement.