The Patient's Perception of Recovery After Maxillary Sinus Augmentation: A Prospective Study

BACKGROUND: Little information is available that documents a patient's perception of recovery after sinus-floor augmentation. The aim of the present prospective study was to evaluate the patient's perception of immediate postoperative recovery after sinus-floor augmentation. METHODS: Seventy-six patients (41 males and 35 females) who had been scheduled for sinus-floor augmentation were asked to enroll in a prospective clinical study. A health-related quality-of-life questionnaire was given to the patient, which was designed to assess patient perception of recovery in four main areas: pain, oral function, general activity, and other symptoms. The questionnaire was compared to the surgical chart that described the surgery details and its outcome. RESULTS: Average pain peaked on postoperative day (POD) 1 and improved on POD 5. Maximal pain peaked on POD 1 and improved on POD 4. Difficulty in mouth opening peaked on POD 1 and improved on POD 3. Work attendance, on POD 1 to POD 3, most of the patients did not go to work, and most of the patients returned to work on POD 4. Swelling was greatest on POD 2 and improved on POD 5. CONCLUSIONS: The average patient undergoing sinus-floor augmentation should expect, in general, recovery within 5 days. Patients whose recovery is predicted to be worst, especially young women, might require additional counseling and more attentive post-surgery care than others.