Intraoperative complications during sinus floor elevation using two different ultrasonic approaches: A two-center, randomized, controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of intraoperative complications during maxillary sinus elevation with lateral approach using a piezoelectric device with two different surgical techniques. Materials and Methods: Antrostomies were randomly performed by outlining a window (group A, 36 patients) or by eroding the cortical wall with a grinding insert until the membrane was visible under a thin layer of bone, before outlining the window (group B, 36 patients). Occurrence of membrane perforation, laceration of vascular branches, and surgical time was recorded. Results: Seventy-two patients underwent sinus floor elevation: four perforations (11.1%) were observed in group A (two occurred during elevation with hand instruments) and zero perforations in group B (p