Clinical Comparison of Sinus Slot Versus Conventional Lateral Window Osteotomy for Sinus Floor Elevation. Is There a Way to Evade the Antral Anastomotic Artery?—A Prospective Cohort of 30 Cases

This study compared the sinus slot osteotomy (an amalgamation of lateral window and crestal approach) with the conventional lateral window for sinus floor elevation, when the alveolar antral artery (AAA) was close to the alveolar crest.

30 patients with unilateral posterior maxillary edentulous region, were included. The alveolar bone height was ≤ 4 mm and distance from the alveolar crest to AAA ≤ 7 mm. In 19 cases, a sinus slot osteotomy (test group) was performed to elevate the membrane, while in 11 cases, a lateral window osteotomy (control) was performed. The increase in the alveolar bone height, intra- and post-operative complications, patient reported pain and swelling was assessed.

The average distance of AAA from the alveolar crest was 5.89 ± 0.88 mm. The mean bone height increased from 3.47 ± 1.69 mm to 11 ± 0.52 mm and 3.29 ± 1.14 mm to 10.54 ± 1.86 mm for the test and control groups respectively. Significantly higher post-operative haematoma and ecchymoses was seen in the control group (1.18 ± 0.24) (p < 0.001), while the pain and swelling were comparable between the two groups (p = 0.084).

The sinus slot osteotomy technique predictably elevated the maxillary sinus with relatively low rate of complications. It can be particularly undertaken when AAA lies close to the alveolar crest.