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Assessment of olfactory function after septoplasty: a longitudinal study.
O Pfaar1, K B Hüttenbrink, T Hummel
1Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Dresden Medical School, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
Rhinology
|January 1, 2005
Summary
Septoplasty surgery impacts olfactory function, specifically odor discrimination, but not odor thresholds or identification. These changes may relate to altered airflow after nasal surgery.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Rhinology
- Olfactory Neuroscience
Background:
- Nasal obstruction due to septal deviation can affect olfactory function.
- Septoplasty aims to correct septal deviation and improve nasal airflow.
- The impact of septoplasty on lateralized olfactory function requires detailed evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess changes in lateralized olfactory function after septoplasty.
- To compare early and late postoperative olfactory function with preoperative status.
- To investigate the relationship between septal deviation, nasal obstruction, and olfactory performance.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the
- Sniffin' Sticks
- test battery to evaluate olfactory function.
- Assessed lateralized olfactory function in 30 patients.
- Performed measurements preoperatively and at 4 and 9 months postoperatively.
Main Results:
- Preoperatively, higher odor thresholds were observed in the obstructed nostril.
- Postoperatively, a significant decline in odor discrimination was noted.
- No significant changes in odor thresholds or identification were found up to 9 months post-surgery.
Conclusions:
- Odor thresholds, not suprathreshold olfactory function, correlate with nasal obstruction from septal deviation.
- Postoperative olfactory changes were primarily observed in odor discrimination.
- Altered intranasal airflow following septoplasty may explain the observed functional changes.