AND OBJECTIVE: Oroantral communication and fistula are not uncommon complications of maxillary molar extraction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of buccal fat flaps and grafts in the closure of oroantral fistulae.
✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦
No actionable change for audiologists; this oral and maxillofacial surgery study has no direct relevance to audiology clinical practice.
✦ Why It Matters ✦
While outside the core audiology domain, oroantral fistula management is relevant to ENT-adjacent practice and multidisciplinary head-and-neck teams who may co-manage patients.
✦ Key Points ✦
- 01Study compares pedicled buccal fat flap vs. free buccal fat graft for oroantral fistula closure.
- 02Oroantral fistulas are abnormal mouth-to-sinus connections typically caused by maxillary molar extraction.
- 03Published in the National Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery — outside the audiology literature.
- 04Findings are specific to oral/maxillofacial surgery; no audiology or vestibular component reported.
✦ Claims & Evidence ✦
ClaimEvidenceSupport
Pedicled buccal pad fat flap and free buccal pad fat graft are both viable options for closing chronic oroantral fistulas.
studypartially supported✦ Research metadata ✦
- PMID
- 42422783
- DOI
- 10.4103/njms.njms_24_24.
- Journal
- National Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 2b
- Population
- Patients with chronic oroantral fistula following maxillary molar extraction
- Intervention
- Pedicled buccal pad fat flap for oroantral fistula closure
- Comparator
- Free buccal pad fat graft
Primary outcomes
Successful closure of oroantral fistula; Complication rates