How to Prevent and Manage Postoperative Complications in Maxillary Sinus Augmentation Using the Lateral Approach: A Review

Maxillary sinus augmentation with a lateral approach is known to present more postoperative complications than other atrophic posterior maxilla treatment modalities because it is more invasive. These complications include infections that occur in the form of chronic or acute sinusitis. According to the literature, the frequency of these complications ranges from 3% to 5%. They can result from an inadequate management of intraoperative complications or from a poor evaluation of maxillary sinus particularities and pathology before the surgery. Therefore, the prevention of postoperative complications lies in the selection of cases that will allow for the identification and evaluation of infectious risk. Only a multidisciplinary approach that includes an implantologist, a rhinologist, and the treating physician will allow this. On the other hand, in infectious complication cases, the intervention of the otorhinolaryngologist (ENT) specialist is necessary. Based on the available literature and the author’s experience, the methodology described in this article will allow for the prevention and management of postoperative complications related to this surgical technique.