Endoscopic sinus surgery improves olfaction in nasal polyposis, a multi-center study.

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Rhinology
• Surgical Outcomes

Background:

• The efficacy of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (ESS) as a standalone treatment for improving olfaction in nasal polyposis patients is debated.
• Nasal polyposis often impairs olfactory function, necessitating effective treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the hypothesis that ESS positively influences olfactory thresholds and the sense of smell in individuals with nasal polyposis.
• To evaluate the short-term effects of ESS on olfactory function.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study analyzed 160 adult patients undergoing ESS for bilateral nasal polyposis.
• Olfactory function was assessed pre- and post-surgery using an olfactory threshold test, a smell diary, and a smell and taste score.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in all measured olfactory parameters post-ESS.
• Olfactory threshold increased (0.0 to 3.0, p < 0.001), smell diary scores improved (3.0 to 1.7, p < 0.001), and smell and taste scores increased (1.0 to 2.0, p = 0.002).
• These improvements were consistent across patient subgroups, including those with and without prior surgery, and across genders.

Conclusions:

• Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, when performed without concurrent medical therapy, appears to enhance both the sense of smell and olfactory thresholds in nasal polyposis patients.
• The findings suggest a short-term benefit of ESS for olfactory dysfunction associated with nasal polyposis.