The aim of this review was to determine the effect of cortical perforations in bone regeneration considering the surgical technique. An electronic search in the PubMed (MEDLINE) and ScienceDirect databases and a hand search of the literature was conducted covering the period July 2008 to December 2018. Studies that specified the creation of perforations in the recipient area as a study variable associated with the regenerative technique were included. The quality of the randomized clinical trials included in this systematic review was also assessed. A total of 16 articles met both inclusion criteria and were eligible for analysis. Studies were grouped into three blocks according to the associated surgical technique. All studies were performed in an experimental model except for one. Qualitative assessment of the studies showed a moderate to high risk of bias of the overall studies. The evidence for creating perforations in guided bone regeneration and also in combination with autologous bone blocks in order to increase bone formation is limited according to the publications analysed. Although the number and size of perforations do not appear to interfere with the result, their effect in the upper maxilla and in the mandible should be evaluated separately due to the structural anatomical differences.
Keywords: bone block; bone perforation; bone regeneration; decortication; guided bone regeneration; periosteal distraction.
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