Changes in olfactory acuity induced by total inferior turbinectomy

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Rhinology
• Sensory Science

Background:

• Intranasal surgery, specifically inferior turbinate resection, is common for treating nasal obstruction.
• The impact of total inferior turbinectomy on olfactory function remains incompletely understood.
• Objective assessment of smell acuity is crucial to evaluate surgical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the short-term and long-term effects of total inferior turbinectomy on smell acuity.
• To objectively measure changes in olfactory thresholds following the procedure.
• To determine the reliability of subjective smell assessments post-surgery.

Main Methods:

• Olfactory thresholds were measured using a three-way forced-choice method.
• Four distinct odorants were employed for threshold determination.
• Patients were evaluated at different time points, including long-term follow-up (2.5+ years).

Main Results:

• A decrease in olfactory thresholds (indicating improved smell) was observed in 22 out of 24 patients post-surgery.
• No adverse effects on smell acuity were detected in 16 patients assessed 2.5 years or more after surgery.
• Subjective reports of olfactory acuity were found to be unreliable indicators of actual smell function.

Conclusions:

• Total inferior turbinectomy can lead to significant improvements in smell acuity in the short term.
• The positive effects on smell function appear to be sustained long-term, with no observed deleterious impact.
• Objective olfactory testing is essential for accurately evaluating the functional outcomes of intranasal surgeries like turbinectomy.