Effect of sinus membrane perforation on the survival of implants placed in combination with osteotome sinus floor elevation.

This study was conducted to evaluate implant survival with regard to effects of sinus membrane perforation that occurred during osteotome sinus floor elevation (OSFE). The study group consisted of 42 patients with edentulous posterior maxilla. Implants placement combined with OSFE without a grafting material was performed. All patients underwent a radiographic examination before surgery, to reveal the periimplant bone formation immediately after implant placement and 6 to 33 months later. Sinus membrane perforations were detected in 6 patients, and 6 implants were inserted in 6 sinus sites. No infection occurred in all sites, and all implants succeeded in the observation follow-up period. There was a 100% survival rate of implant in perforated sinuses, the same as in intact sinuses. Within the limits of this study, we can conclude that perforation of the sinus membrane does not compromise the short-term survival of dental implants placed in combination with OSFE.