Sinus membrane perforations and the incidence of complications: a retrospective study from a residency program.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate sinus membrane perforations and the incidence of complications in a residency program. STUDY DESIGN: Data from 107 consecutive direct sinus augmentation procedures were reviewed retrospectively from 2008 to 2012. DISCUSSION: All perforations were repaired intraoperatively with the use of a collagen tape. Intraoperative membrane perforations were observed in 64 of 107 cases (59.8%). Of the perforations, 58 were less than 5 mm in diameter and 6 were 5 mm or greater in diameter. It was found that there were 6 cases (5.6%) that experienced postoperative complications. Of those, 3 occurred in cases with no perforations, 2 with perforations less than 5 mm in diameter, and 1 with a perforation 5 mm or more in diameter. These differences were not statistically significant (P > .05). All observed post-operative complications were related to symptoms of acute infection. CONCLUSIONS: Although membrane perforation was a frequent intraoperative finding, there was no evidence that the presence and size of membrane perforation influences the likelihood of postoperative complications.