Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the thickness of the posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA) and the intraoperative bleeding volume during maxillary sinus floor augmentation (MSFA) procedures.
Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study involving 24 consecutive participants who underwent MSFA at a university hospital in Turkey. The thickness of the PSAA was assessed using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Intraoperative data were collected to measure bleeding volume. The statistical analysis included Spearman correlation analysis to determine the relationship between PSAA thickness and bleeding volume.
Results: The present study revealed no significant correlation between the thickness of the PSAA and the volume of intraoperative bleeding. The mean PSAA thickness was 1.36 mm (SD: 0.40 mm), and the widest canal diameter was 2.40 mm. Univariate analysis revealed no significant associations between PSAA diameter and the assessed factors, with β values ranging from -10.510 to 6.814 and p values all above 0.2.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that the thickness of the PSAA, as determined by CBCT, may not be a predictive factor for intraoperative bleeding during MSFA procedures. This study contributes to the understanding of surgical risk management in MSFA patients and supports the continued use of CBCT for preoperative assessment.

Key words: Posterior superior alveolar artery; Maxillary sinus vascularization; Cone beam computed tomography; Intraoperative bleeding