The patient's perception of recovery after maxillary sinus augmentation: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND

Little information is available that documents a patient's perception of recovery after sinus-floor augmentation. The aim of the present prospective study was to evaluate the patient's perception of immediate postoperative recovery after sinus-floor augmentation.

METHODS

Seventy-six patients (41 males and 35 females) who had been scheduled for sinus-floor augmentation were asked to enroll in a prospective clinical study. A health-related quality-of-life questionnaire was given to the patient, which was designed to assess patient perception of recovery in four main areas: pain, oral function, general activity, and other symptoms. The questionnaire was compared to the surgical chart that described the surgery details and its outcome.

RESULTS

Average pain peaked on postoperative day (POD) 1 and improved on POD 5. Maximal pain peaked on POD 1 and improved on POD 4. Difficulty in mouth opening peaked on POD 1 and improved on POD 3. Work attendance, on POD 1 to POD 3, most of the patients did not go to work, and most of the patients returned to work on POD 4. Swelling was greatest on POD 2 and improved on POD 5.

CONCLUSIONS

The average patient undergoing sinus-floor augmentation should expect, in general, recovery within 5 days. Patients whose recovery is predicted to be worst, especially young women, might require additional counseling and more attentive post-surgery care than others.