Does Subperiosteal Scoring Contribute to Enhanced Success of Rehrmann Flap for Closure of Oro-Antral Fistula?

Objective: The Rehrmann flap is a type of buccal flap for closure of small oro-antral fistula (OAF). The aim of the study was to investigate whether the subperiosteal scoring contributes to enhanced success of Rehrmann flap for closure of OAF.

Methods: The prospective randomized study was undertaken on 40 patients who had previously undergone extraction of maxillary first molars with an established diagnosis of OAF. The patients were divided into 2 groups of 20 cases each with OAF following extractions and surgical closure based on “with subperiosteal scoring” for group A and “without subperiosteal scoring” for patients included for group B intervention arm.

Results: It was observed that for patients in group A, there was adequate tissue for OAF closure without flap tension in 20 patients (100%), whereas for patients in group B, flap closure without tissue tension could be achieved in 10 of the 20 patients (50%). The incidence of postoperative flap dehiscence was n = 1 (5%) in group A and n = 7 (35%) in group B.

Conclusion: Subperiosteal scoring was found effective and had a better and uneventful healing of oro-antral communication or fistula.

Cite this article as: Bhargava D, Beena S, Kangloo S, Gupta M, BhargavaG P, Shrivastava S. Does subperiosteal scoring contribute to enhanced success of Rehrmann flap for closure of oro-antral fistula? Essent Dent. 1(2):49-54.