Effects of septorhinoplasty on smell perception

• Published in: European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology 2019-04, Vol.276 (4), p.1247-1250
• Main Authors: Kokubo, Luciana Carolina Peruzzo, Carvalho, Thiago Bittencourt Ottoni, Fornazieri, Marco Aurélio, Gomes, Eduardo Monteiro de Castro, Alves, Cláudia Maggy Faulstich, Sampaio, André Luiz Lopes
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Female; Head and Neck Surgery; Humans; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Nasal Septum - surgery; Neurosurgery; Nose Deformities, Acquired - complications; Nose Deformities, Acquired - surgery; Olfaction Disorders - diagnosis; Olfaction Disorders - etiology; Otorhinolaryngology; Postoperative Complications - epidemiology; Rhinitis, Allergic - complications; Rhinitis, Allergic - surgery; Rhinoplasty - adverse effects; Rhinoplasty - methods; Self Report; Sensory Thresholds; Short Communication; Smell; Visual Analog Scale; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0937-4477; 1434-4726
• DOI: 10.1007/s00405-019-05356-1

Purpose To assess whether significant changes in smell perception occur after septorhinoplasty, and evaluate whether septum deviation, allergic rhinitis, and surgical technique affect postoperative smell perception. Methods Thirty-four patients (> 18 years old) awaiting septorhinoplasty were included, while those with previous severe hyposmia or anosmia were excluded. The participants self-assessed their smell perception using a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS), where 0 mm indicated the inability to smell and 100 mm indicated normal smell perception. The University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) was applied before the procedure, and 4 and 12 weeks after surgery. Results The UPSIT score showed no significant changes at 4 ( p  = 0.59; 95% CI − 0.35 to + 2) or 12 weeks ( p  = 0.16; 95% CI − 1.13 to + 0.66). A comparison of the VAS scores before and 4 weeks after surgery ( p  = 0.62; 95% CI − 0.63 to + 0.39) yielded similar results. However, the average VAS scores improved 12 weeks after surgery ( p  = 0.007; 95% CI + 0.22 to + 1.30). Olfactory function, measured using the UPSIT, was not influenced by open or closed surgical techniques ( p  ≥ 0.10), the presence or absence of rhinitis ( p  ≥ 0.15), or obstructive septum deviation ( p  ≥ 0.38). Twelve weeks after surgery, self-evaluated smell perception was better in patients who underwent a closed procedure rather than an open procedure ( p  = 0.006; 95% CI: −1.39 to −0.37). Conclusion A validated test demonstrates that septorhinoplasty does not compromise smell perception 4 and 12 weeks after surgery. However, it might improve smell perception by the self-report observation.