Risk factors for post-operative complications after procedures for autologous bone augmentation from different donor sites.

AIM: The aim of this study has been to identify risk factors for post-operative complications after grafting bone from different donor sites prior to implant placement.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study encompassed 279 patients who underwent autologous bone augmentations in a 2-stage procedure, harvested from three intraoral and one extraoral donor sites, as well as sinus floor elevations prior to implant placement. The following complications were recorded: soft tissue dehiscence; wound infection; bone graft exposure; sensory disturbance; sinusitis symptoms; haemorrhage; graft failure; implant failure. Complications were correlated with: patient age; smoking status; history of gingivitis/periodontitis; cause of tooth loss; jaw area; dental situation; sinus membrane perforation; surgeons' experience.

RESULTS: 279 patients underwent 456 augmentation procedures, involving 546 sites. 436 grafts were successful. 525 implants were inserted into 436 augmented sites in 273 patients. 20 grafts were lost due to complications. 2 implants were removed before prosthetic restoration. 2 implants were lost within 2 years after placement. Age (p = 0.0009, Odds Ratio = 2.44), smoking (p < 0.0001, Odds Ratio = 2.47), Approximal Plaque Index (p < 0.0001, Odds Ratio = 6.64), Sulcus Bleeding Index (p < 0.0001, Odds Ratio = 39.06) and dental situation (p < 0.0001) were significantly correlated with higher post-operative morbidity. Cause of tooth loss (p = 0.7399), jaw area (p = 0.6725), sinus membrane perforation (p = 0.0762) and surgeons' experience (p = 0.0939) did not influence complication rates.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients over 40 years old, smokers, a history of periodontitis, and augmentation in tooth gaps involving more than one tooth represent a significantly increased risk of there being post-operative complications compared with patients younger than 40 years old, non-smokers, no history of periodontitis, only a single-tooth gap, or free-end arch situations.