Simultaneous management of chronic maxillary sinusitis from dental origin and the relevance of nasal septal deviation: A retrospective evaluation of 65 cases

Purpose: Dental origin constitutes most chronic unilateral maxillary sinusitis (CMS) and is referred to as dental chronic maxillary sinusitis (DCMS). Recently, dental implants and related surgical procedures have become more prevalent. We present an evaluation of the simultaneous treatment of DCMS. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of records from 395 patients with CMS treated at our medical center from 2015 to 2020 found 65 patients diagnosed with DCMS. Statistical analyses were performed using the records data. Results: Four patients were excluded. The final study population included 35 males and 26 females with a mean age of 55. 29 % were post-dental implant placement or related pre-prosthetic procedures. Presenting symptoms included middle meatus edema (72 %), pus in the middle meatus (70 %), and nasal secretion (39 %). Clinical findings included septal deviation (39 %), among them 87 % deviated toward the diseased sinus, OAF (49 %), and nasal polyposis (16 %). In 32 patients, the OAF was closed in one layer using a local mucoperiosteal flap. In 29 patients, the closure was done in two layers, including a buccal fat pad (BFP) regional flap. One patient had a reopened OAF, and five patients required revision surgery. 92 % of patients in this study had complete clinical and radiological resolution of the DCMS. Conclusions: Relevance of nasal septal deviation in association with DCMS is present. There is no distinct difference in the manner of OAF closure if it is done in a simultaneous procedure. One stage combined multidisciplinary surgical procedure is sufficient to treat DCMS.