Improvement of Olfactory Function according to Postoperative Period after Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Background:Rhinosinusitis is the most common cause of olfactory impairment and endoscopic sinus surgery(ESS) is considered as an effective method in the treatment of rhinosinusitis. Objectives:The aim of this study is to determine the therapeutic effects of endoscopic sinus surgery in olfactory dysfunction. Materials and Methods:The subjects of this study were one hundred and eighteen chronic sinusitis patients who had undergone ESS at the department of otolaryngology of Ewha Womans University Hospital, from April 1992 to December 1995. The patients were evaluated subjectively by questionaire and among them, fifty three patients were randomized to receive quantitative butanol test. Results:Twenty-eight(68.3%) of 41 patients with olfactory dysfunction had marked improvement postoperatively but the degree of improvement(postoperative threshold score-preoperative threshold score) decreased during the postoperative period. After postoperative 2 and 2–3 years, the degree of improvement significantly decreased to 2.5 and 1.0, respectively(p<0.005). Conclusion:Olfactory dysfunction in patients with chronic sinusitis can be improved significantly initially after ESS but the smell acuity decreases postoperative period, especially after posto-perative 2 years. (Korean J Otolaryngol 40:8, 1997)

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