[Olfactory function in patients undergoing FESS for chronic rhinosinusitis].

Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) often suffer from loss of olfactory function. Rhinosinusitis can be treated either by medical therapy or surgically (FESS). Postoperative outcome in terms of improving sense of smell has been controversial so far. The aim of our study was to determine the patients who would have better postoperative outcomes in terms of improving olfactory function. We collected data of patients undergoing FESS for chronic rhinosinusitis (either with or without nasal polyps) at our department during the years 2012-2015. These patients had their olfactory function examined with Odorized markers test (OMT) up to 24 hours before surgery. After that we chose the best result in OMT found out in visits from 4 weeks to 4 months after surgery. We were comparing individual risk factors out of the patients´ anamnesis, CT scan and physical examination. 51 patients were enrolled in this study. 25 % of patients showed improvement of their olfactory function, no change was recorded in 55 % of patients and 20 % of patients showed deterioration of olfaction. Before surgery we found out statistically significant difference in results of OMT between the patients with and without nasal polyps and with and without asthma (p = 0,0016, resp. p = 0,04). After surgery the difference was no longer statistically significant (p = 0,17, resp. p = 0,12). Correlation with age and Lund-Mackay score showed changes after surgery. No statistically significant difference in results of OMT was found out before and after surgery in other observed risk factors (oral corticosteroids before surgery, smoking, revision surgery and middle turbinate resection). Changes in olfactory function in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis after surgery are hard to predict. Our results show that nasal polyps, asthma, lower age and higher Lund-Mackay score are factors which predict better postoperative outcome.