Olfactory function after microscopic endonasal surgery in patients with nasal polyps

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Neuroscience
• Sensory Science

Background:

• Nasal polyps frequently cause olfactory dysfunction, impacting quality of life.
• Understanding the temporal changes in olfactory function after surgery is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the time course of olfactory function following endonasal surgery in patients with nasal polyps.
• To assess olfactory threshold, odor identification, and odor discrimination abilities before and after surgery.

Main Methods:

• A controlled prospective study involving 31 patients with nasal polyps.
• Utilized a modified Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) olfactory function test.
• Olfactory tests were conducted pre-surgery and at multiple time points up to 6 months post-surgery.

Main Results:

• Patients presented with moderate hyposmia (impaired smell) pre-surgery.
• A temporary worsening of hyposmia was observed shortly after surgery.
• Significant improvements in olfactory function were noted, peaking around 3 months post-surgery, with some decline thereafter.
• Odor identification and discrimination abilities showed similar trends.

Conclusions:

• Endonasal surgery can lead to improvements in olfactory function for patients with nasal polyps.
• The most substantial benefits in smell are typically observed within the first three months after surgery.