The Evaluation of Olfactory Function in Patients with Septal and Turbinate Surgery

Kim, Sung Won; Nam, Inn Chul; Kim, Byung Guk; Kang, Min Gon; Lee, Dong Mok; Cho, Jin Hee; Yoon, He Ro

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Septoplasty with turbinate reductive surgery is a frequently performed operation for the treatment of nasal obstruction. However, the effect of septoplasty on olfactory function has not been systematically evaluated. The purpose of this study is to investigate changes of olfactory function following septoplasty with turbinate reductive surgery and to evaluate correlations between the change of minimal cross sectional area (MCA) of nasal cavity and nasal volume and olfactory function after nasal surgery. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Olfactory threshold and identification test of 25 patients with nasal septal deviation and compensated hypertrophy of inferior turbinate were taken pre- and postoperatively. Nasal volume and MCA were measured using acoustic rhinometry before and after the nasal surgery. RESULTS: Septoplasty with turbinate reductive surgery increased the volume and MCA of the nasal cavity and scores of the olfactory identification test were increased after the septal surgery (p<0.05). However, some patients have decreased scores in the olfactory function test after surgery. There were no correlation between the changes of olfactory threshold and acoustic rhinometric parameters of nasal cavity. CONCLUSION: Septoplasty with turbinate reductive surgery has some beneficial effect on olfactory function. However, there are no correlation between changes of olfactory function and changes of parameters in acoustic rhinometry. Preoperative olfactory test is advisable and informed consent for postoperative change of olfaction is necessary in assessing patients for nasal surgery.