Healing potential of osteotomies of the nasal sinus in the dog.
UNLABELLED: Maxillary sinus osteotomy is indicated for transantral surgical approaches to palatal roots of maxillary teeth. There are no reports on the healing potential of such defects. OBJECTIVES: To determine by histologic examination, the reparative process of the nasal cavity of dogs after small and large perforations with and without a resorbable collagen membrane. STUDY DESIGN: Five mm and 6 x 12 mm diameter osteotomies were created through the maxilla of 12 beagle dogs. Resorbable collagen membranes were placed over defects on six dogs. After 5 months, sections of the defects were histologically evaluated. RESULTS: Examination revealed partial osseous healing with presence of central areas of fibrous scar tissue in all samples. Defects covered with the resorbable collagen membranes showed no improvement in osseous regeneration. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, defects (regardless of their size) tend to repair with limited bony covering and fibrous scar. Furthermore, resorbable collagen membranes do not improve osseous repair.