[Short term olfactory memory and olfactory function after inhalation anesthetic agents: a randomized clinical trial].

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Otolaryngology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Micro laryngeal surgery for voice disorders requires general anesthesia.
• The impact of different inhalation anesthetics on postoperative sensory function, specifically olfaction, is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of sevoflurane versus desflurane on olfactory memory and function post-micro laryngeal surgery.
• To compare olfactory outcomes between two anesthetic agents in patients undergoing laryngeal procedures.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 102 patients undergoing micro laryngeal surgery.
• Patients received either sevoflurane (n=30) or desflurane (n=30) for general anesthesia.
• Olfactory function and memory were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively using the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center Olfactory test.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in olfactory function was observed between the sevoflurane and desflurane groups postoperatively.
• A significant decrease in olfactory memory was noted 3 hours after surgery in both groups (p < 0.05).
• Sevoflurane demonstrated a temporary negative impact on olfactory memory, while desflurane did not affect it.

Conclusions:

• Desflurane does not appear to affect olfactory function or memory in the early postoperative period following micro laryngeal surgery.
• Sevoflurane may have a transient adverse effect on olfactory memory, but not olfactory function, in the early postoperative phase.
• These findings suggest careful consideration of anesthetic agent choice when preserving olfactory function is critical.