Success Rate of Apical Surgeries Performed in a Postgraduate Endodontic Fellowship. A Retrospective Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: Apical surgeries are routinely performed in Endodontic postgraduate courses at institutions of higher education. Although the success rate and intraoperative prognostic factors of these interventions have been determined in previous studies, constant feedback is necessary for the revision and adjustment of the clinical protocols used. Objective: To determine the success rate and intraoperative prognostic factors of apical surgeries performed in an endodontic postgraduate course. Methods: Retrospective observational cross-sectional study based on the evaluation of clinical and radiographic records of patients undergoing apical surgeries. A total of 840 clinical records were reviewed, of which 97 recorded 108 apical surgeries. Fifty-two cases that met the inclusion criteria were finally selected. The intraoperative prognostic factors evaluated were: magnification, type of flap, retropreparation protocol, retro-obturation material and type of suture. Postoperative and control radiographs were evaluated by a previously calibrated observer using the Molven scale. Statistical analysis was performed using Minitab software, contingency tables and t-test. Results: The success rate was 78.84%. A statistically significant decrease was observed in the Molven scale (p ≤ 0.001). It was not possible to establish the relationship of intraoperative prognostic factors with the success rate. Conclusions: The apical surgeries performed showed an acceptable success rate and this could increase with long-term clinical and radiographic follow-ups.

Keywords

• cicatrización
• factores pronósticos
• tasa de éxito.