title: Use of Auricular Cartilage for Closure of Oroantral Fistula: A Prospective Clinical Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The term oro-antral fistula is understood to mean of fistular canal covered with epithelia which may or may not be filled with granulation tissue or polyposis of the sinus mucous membrane. With the presence of a fistula the sinus is permanently open, which enables the passage of microbial flora of the oral cavity into the maxillary sinus and the occurrence of inflammation with all possible consequences. Every now and then various researchers have proposed innumerable techniques to treat this defect. Starting from simple tissue flaps to autogenous grafts to alloplastic materials, an array of procedures have been evaluated in literature but the most promising technique still needs to be evaluated. Consequently, after reviewing an array of such procedures, our present study focussed on a new technique for the closer of oro-antral fistulas using autogenous auricular cartilage graft supported by buccal advancement flap.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 20 patients of oro-antral fistula were included in the study and after excising the fistular tract a double layer closure was done by placing auricular cartilage over the defect followed by buccal mucoperiosteal flap. The graft was harvested using posterior auricular approach. Assessment of patients was done at the end of 1 week, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found that the autogenous auricular cartilage graft is an effective sealing material in oro-antral fistula closure. We recommend this technique for the defect size ≤10 mm2in which future dental implant placement is sought as it allows easy sinus lifting procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India.
authors.forename: Hari
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ram
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India.
authors.forename: Hardik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Makadia
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India.
authors.forename: Gagan
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1664-6944
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India.
authors.forename: Shadab
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mohammad
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India.
authors.forename: Rakesh Kumar
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India.
authors.forename: Nimisha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India.
authors.forename: Geeta
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Singh
keywords: Auricular cartilage graft; Buccal advancement flap; Oroantral fistula