Oro-antral fistulae--a study of clinical, radiological and treatment aspects.

Clinical and radiological aspects of 86 patients with oro-antral fistulae were studied and two commonly employed methods of repair were compared. Fistulae were found to be twice as common in males as in females. The highest frequency was recorded in the fourth decade (41%), and the commonest site was the first molar region (49%). All patients had antral infection which is attributed to the long delay in the detection of fistulae. The most frequently observed radiological feature was polyps with mucosal thickening (49%). Comparison of results of surgical repair by a buccal flap method (Rehrmann, 1936) and a palatal flap method (Ashley, 1939) showed no significant difference (p greater than 0.05).