Closure of Antro-Alveolar Fistulae

Abstract

Numerous therapeutic principles and surgical techniques for the closure of antro-alveolar fistulae are described in the literature. It is, however, difficult to make any direct comparison between different methods, since only a few large series have hitherto been reported, in which the surgical technique has been uniform, and the results have been given.

The present series comprises 110 cases of antro-alveolar fistulae, operated on by Rehrmann's method from 1955 until the end of September 1960. The main object of the investigation was to check the reliability of this method in a relatively large series, by thorough follow-up examination. It has been found that when the primary operation has consisted of repair of the fistula by Rehrmann's method, the results have been extremely good, i.e., primary healing has been achieved in about 94% of the cases, and definite healing in altogether about 99%. It is pointed out that this method is, in addition, more easily than others combined with radical operation on the maxillary sinus. This is a great advantage, in view of the high incidence of coincident sinusitis in the presence of an antro-alveolar fistula.