To examine the impact of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) on olfactory impairment in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and nasal polyposis over intermediate- to long-term follow-up.

Prospective, cohort study. Conducted in a tertiary care center over a period of 2 years (August 2014-July 2016).

A total of 42 patients presenting for ESS were examined preoperatively and at 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th week postoperatively. Demographic, comorbidity, and olfactory scores were collected at each point of time. Sniffin Sticks test was used to assess the olfaction of the patients.

Olfactory scores in anosmic patients significantly improved after ESS at 3-month follow-up. Only few hyposmic patients improved after surgery and others did not show any change. Among normosmic patients, 80% showed no change after surgery, whereas 20% became hyposmic postoperatively. None of the normosmics became anosmic after surgery.

Patients with severe olfactory dysfunction significantly improved after ESS, whereas patients with mild olfactory dysfunction did not. A realistic assessment of effects of ESS on olfaction could be derived. This will help in counseling the patients undergoing ESS in future. Olfactory impairment is an important patient safety and quality-of-life issue for patients with CRS and one that requires continued research.

Mohanty S. Effect of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery on Olfaction: A Prospective Analysis. Clin Rhinol An Int J 2016;9(3):115-119.