Influence of a medialized middle turbinate on olfactory function: a prospective randomized double-blind study

Medialization of the middle turbinate (MT) is an effective technique to prevent recurrent rhinosinusitis but could, in theory, reduce olfactory function by interfering the odorants to reach the olfactory mucosae. We performed a prospective randomized double-blind trial under the hypothesis that olfactory functions would be affected by the status of olfactory mucosae, not by MT medialization.

In randomly selected sides, the unilateral MT was medialized in 80 patients undergoing bilateral endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis. The status of the bilateral olfactory cleft (OC) was photodocumented intraoperatively and categorized into patent (normal or mucosal swelling with discharge) and congested (hypertrophied mucosae or nasal polyps) groups. The butanol threshold test (BTT) was conducted in each nostril before and 6 months after the surgery. Correlation between the BTT scores and MT medialization or the OC status was assessed. No smell identification test was conducted side by side, which might limit clinical implications.

In total, 46 of 80 patients completed the trial. MT medialization was performed on the left and right side of the nose in 19 and 27 cases, respectively. The intraoperative OC status did not differ between the 2 sides. Perioperative changes in the BTT scores were similar between the medialized and intact MT sides, whereas the preoperative and postoperative BTT scores were higher in the patent OC group than in the congested OC group, regardless of side.

MT medialization does not impair olfactory function, and OC status is closely related to olfactory function.