Clinical outcomes of a novel technique for the treatment of oroantral fistulas: a 3-year retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of the fistula mucosal debridement technique in the treatment of oroantral fistulas (OAFs) measuring ≤3 mm in diameter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 20 patients with OAFs (≤3 mm) treated using mucosal debridement at Manara University (2019-2022). Data were extracted from electronic records, including demographics, fistula size, and healing outcomes. Debridement was performed weekly (maximum 3 sessions) using a 1.5-mm carbide bur. Healing was assessed clinically, and data were analyzed with SPSS version 22 (descriptive statistics, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis). RESULTS: Complete closure was achieved in 15 out of 20 cases (75%): 5 out of 20 (25%) after the second session and 10 out of 20 (50%) after the third. No significant associations were found between healing and age/gender (P > 0.05, log-rank test). Failures (5/20, 25%) required alternative surgical closure. CONCLUSION: The mucosal debridement technique resulted in the complete closure of the fistula opening in 75% of cases involving OAFs measuring ≤3 mm in diameter after the third debridement. This method is straightforward, non-invasive, and does not require surgical intervention or additional materials for the management of narrow-diameter OAFs.