Evaluation of 79 patients with oroantral and oronasal fistula

ntroduction: Various methods for closure of oroantral communication (OAC) and oronasal communication (ONC) have been reported. These are different based on the skill of surgeon, type of communication, size and location of defect and other factors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the etiologic factors, location, type of treatment and surgical results in patients with oronasal and oroantral communications. In this descriptive study, between 2005-2007, 79 patients with OAC or ONC were evaluated for aforementioned factors. The data were statistically analyzed by Chi-square and Odd’s ratio tests. Seventy nine patients including 9 patients with ONC and 70 patients with OAC were studied. The main etiologic factor for both OAC and ONC was tooth extraction. The surgical technique most frequently used for treatment of both OAC and ONC was suturing. Surgical failure occurred in 4 cases with OAC and 3 cases with ONC after first surgery. According to the results of this study, tooth extraction was the most etiologic factor for OAC and ONC. Suturing for small communications and use of a buccal fat pad flap for larger defects, seem to be the best choices for treatment.