Life-threatening hemorrhage associated with dental implant surgery: a review of the literature

Abstract

Objectives: Life-threatening bleeding may occur during implant placement.

Purpose: The present review was conducted to evaluate the localization, the symptoms, and therapies of life-threatening bleedings associated with implant placement.

Material and methods: A literature review including 590 articles was performed in PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane database. Any article reporting on life-threatening bleeding was included which additionally reported on the site of implant surgery.

Results: Twenty-seven cases were extracted. In the majority of the cases, bleeding occurred in the anterior interforaminal region. Aside local management stopping the bleedings, most cases required intubation or tracheotomy.

Conclusions: Surgeons must be aware of the risk of severe bleedings during implant surgery and should immediately refer patients to a specialized clinic in suspicious or proved cases.

Keywords: bone implant interactions; clinical assessment; clinical research; clinical trials; diagnosis.