Endoscopic maxillary sinus lift without vestibular mucosal incision or bone graft.

AIM: To augment the thickness of the maxilla in cases with marked absorption of the alveolar bone of the upper jaw due to severe periodontal disease by performing a minimally invasive sinus lift procedure without an iliac bone graft.

METHODS

An endoscope is inserted into the nasal cavity, and a large drainage opening is created in the inferior meatus extending from the maxillary sinus to the nasal cavity. The endoscope and forceps for mucosal removal are then inserted into the maxillary sinus via the drainage opening, and approximately, the lower half of the maxillary sinus mucosa is excised.

RESULTS

Computed tomographic scans more than 1 year (range, 12-36 mo; mean, 23.5 mo) after performing this procedure verified maxillary sinus floor bone growth of 2.7 to 15.4 mm (mean, 7.6 mm) on 33 sides of 17 cases. Bone growth of 5 mm or more was obtained on 31 of 33 sides.

CONCLUSIONS

With this procedure, it is possible to perform a sinus lift without the need for oral vestibular incision or bone graft. The results suggest it could provide a more minimally invasive approach to performing sinus lift.