Endoscopic retrieval of a dental implant into the maxillary sinus: A case report

Purpose. In this article the Authors show a safe and predictable technique to remove displaced implants from the maxillary sinus. Materials and methods. A 49-year-old female was referred, to this centre by a general dentist, for the retrieval of the ectopic dental implant. After a preliminary clinical and radiological evaluation of the case the surgical procedure was performed. A loco-regional anesthesia was carried out and then the Maxillary Sinus Retrieval Device (MSRD), proposed in this study, was inserted in the canine fossa, via a circular antrostomy 5,5mm wide, previous execution of a mucoperiosteal flap. The MSRD is a trocar, modified with a funnel-shaped cannula in order to allow the easy access of both an endoscope and a suction cannula or, in alternative, a straight forceps. The implant was easily found end retrieved thanks to the endoscopic control. The postoperative was uneventful and no nasal bleeding was reported by the patient. Conclusion. The Authors recommend the use of the MSRD in order to minimize the biological sacrifice consequent to the implant retrieval in the maxillary sinus.