Odontogenic sinusitis, oro-antral fistula and surgical repair by Bichat's fat pad: Literature review.

Odontogenic sinusitis accounts for 10-12% of maxillary sinusitis. It occurs due to an interruption of the mucoperiosteum in response to a series of conditions, most frequently the extraction of a superior tooth. Its treatment has two bases: treating the infection and managing the oroantral fistula that perpetuates the infection. Communications smaller than 5mm can resolve spontaneously; bigger ones must be closed by a flap. Bichat's fat pad flap was first used in 1977 to close an oroantral fistula. It is a pedicled flap that has been shown to be successful, with advantages that make it the best option in oroantral fistula treatment. Its location allows easy access, minimum dissection, great versatility, good mobility, good blood supply, low rate of complications, no morbidity in the donor site, low risk of infection, shortened surgical time and fast cover by epithelium, and it leaves no visible scar, amongst other benefits. That is why we encourage the use of this technique and choose it as the best option for management of our patients.