Olfactory Function and Surgery of the Lateral Nasal Wall - Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Rhinology
• Sensory Science

Background:

• Surgery on the lateral nasal wall, particularly the inferior turbinates, is common.
• The impact of these surgical interventions on olfactory function requires comprehensive understanding.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review existing literature on the influence of inferior turbinate surgery on olfactory function.
• To synthesize evidence regarding the efficacy of surgical interventions on improving smell.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science.
• PRISMA guidelines were followed for study selection, with risk of bias assessed using RoB 2 and Hawker et al. scales.
• Nine studies were included, employing diverse olfactory assessment tools like VAS, Sniffin' Stick Test, NOSE scale, and butanol threshold tests.

Main Results:

• All nine reviewed studies reported a significant improvement in olfactory function after inferior turbinate surgery.
• Olfactory improvements were consistently observed through pre- and post-surgery measurements using various validated scales and tests.
• Enhanced patient-reported outcomes and objective smell test results indicated superior olfactory function post-intervention.

Conclusions:

• Surgery on the inferior turbinates demonstrates a positive and consistent impact on improving olfactory function.
• Further research, including randomized controlled trials with control groups, is recommended to establish optimal surgical techniques and clinical guidelines.
• The collective evidence supports the benefit of inferior turbinate surgery for olfactory enhancement.