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Olfactory function following open rhinoplasty: A 6-month follow-up study
Hashem Shemshadi1, Mojtaba Azimian, Mohammad Ali Onsori
1University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Clinical Sciences and Speech Reconstructive Surgery, Tehran, Iran. shemshadii@gmail.com
BMC Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders
|October 4, 2008
Summary
Olfactory dysfunction is common after open rhinoplasty. Full recovery of smell function to preoperative levels typically occurs between 6 weeks and 6 months post-surgery.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Rhinology
- Olfactory Neurobiology
Background:
- Nasal surgery, including open rhinoplasty, can lead to temporary olfactory dysfunction.
- Understanding the timeline for olfactory function recovery is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the time course of olfactory function recovery after esthetic open rhinoplasty.
- To assess when olfactory function returns to preoperative baseline levels.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 40 patients undergoing open rhinoplasty were evaluated.
- Olfactory function was assessed using the Smell Identification Test (SIT) preoperatively and at 1 week, 6 weeks, and 6 months postoperatively.
Main Results:
- One week post-surgery, 87.5% of patients experienced anosmia or hyposmia.
- By 6 weeks, olfactory dysfunction significantly improved, with most experiencing mild to moderate hyposmia.
- At 6 months, olfactory function returned to preoperative levels in all patients.
Conclusions:
- Esthetic open rhinoplasty can cause temporary olfactory dysfunction.
- A recovery period of 6 weeks to 6 months is generally required for olfactory function to return to baseline.
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