Olfaction Improvement after Nasal Septal Perforation Repair with the “cross-stealing” Technique

Abstract

Background The surgical treatment of nasal septal perforation is known to improve nasal respiratory airflow and, thereby, should be beneficial to the patient's olfactory abilities. However, there are only limited data on the effect of nasal septal perforation repair (NSPR) on olfaction, and most studies reported contradictory results. Objective The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the change in the olfactory abilities of 42 patients with a primary concern of nasal septal perforation. Methods NSPR was performed with the “cross-stealing” technique. The inferior-based mucoperichondrial flap in one side and the superior-based mucoperichondrial flap from the other side of the nasal septum were passed to the opposite sides through the perforation. Surgery was completed by placing an interpositional graft between the flaps before suturing. The interpositional grafts were residual cartilage. The olfactory performance of the patients before and at 1, 3, and 6 months after the closure of the nasal septal perforation was measured by using an olfaction test kit. Results The success rate with complete closure of nasal septal perforation with the “cross-stealing” technique was 92.8%. Analysis of the data indicated statistically significant improvement in olfactory function scored as odor threshold (T), odor discrimination (D), odor identification (I) and TDI at 1, 3, and 6 months after NSPR (p < 0.001 for all). The mean TDI score evaluated 6 months after NSPR was improved by 64%. Analyses of variance indicated statistically significant improvement in olfactory scores within time factors were calculated as preoperative versus 1, 3, and 6 months; 1 versus 3 and 6 months; and 3 versus 6 months (p < 0.001 for all). Analysis of the present data indicates a beneficial effect of NSPR on olfactory abilities of patients with perforation. Conclusion Our data on the short- and long-term olfactory abilities of 42 patients with nasal septal perforation after NSPR when using an olfaction test kit indicated statistically significant improvement in olfactory function.