Is inferior meatal antrostomy still relevant? A 12-year analysis of 93 oroantral fistulae closure with concomitant Caldwell-Luc operations

Objective: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate clinical outcomes after closure of oroantral fistulae with concomitant Caldwell-Luc operations (OFCLOs) with or without inferior meatal antrostomy (IMA). Study Design: Records from consecutive OFCLOs carried out over a 12-year period at the oral and maxillofacial surgery department at a single medical center were reviewed. Background data included age, sex, medical status, indications, and etiologies. Outcome data included operative time, hospitalization time, and postoperative use of analgesics and complications. Results: From 2002 to 2013, 54 male patients (58%), 39 female patients (42%) (mean age 50 years; range 12–84 years) underwent OFCLOs. IMA was carried out in 66 cases (70%). All patients had minimal complications. We found statistically significant shorter operating times (72 vs 84 minutes), shorter postoperative hospitalization times (4.1 vs 5.6 days), lower need of analgesics (1.44 vs 2.88 per day), and fewer complications (11% vs 38%) when IMA was not used. Conclusions: IMA during OFCLOs carries increased morbidity without apparent benefits. Its routine use should, therefore, be discontinued.