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DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1370423
Olfactory Function following Bilateral Mucosal Preservation Nasoseptal Rescue Flap Technique in Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery: Preliminary Data
Introduction: Bilateral mucosal preservation nasoseptal rescue flap technique in endoscopic skull base surgery has been previously presented by our group. One of the perceived benefits of this technique is olfactory function preservation due to preservation of the septal olfactory strip (SOS) and middle and superior turbinates. Herein we present preliminary preoperative and postoperative olfactory function data from an ongoing IRB-approved study at our institution.
Methods: From February 2012 until June 2013, 82 patients who had the bilateral mucosal preservation nasoseptal rescue flap technique were included in the study. All study patients had a preoperative smell test utilizing the B-UPSIT (Sensonics, New Jersey) and 51 patients completed the follow up B-UPSIT 3 months after surgery (28 were excluded due to lack of postoperative olfactory data, 2 patients could not complete the testing properly, 1 patient was lost to follow up). Of theses, 37 of 51 (73.5%) had normal preoperative and normal postoperative olfactory function, 10 of 51 (19.5%) had abnormal preoperative and postoperative olfactory function and 4 (7%) patients developed mild hyposmia. No patients in this preliminary study developed severe hyposmia or anosmia.
Conclusions: These preliminary results show preservation of preoperative olfactory function was achieved in 93% of patients undergoing this mucosal preserving technique. Correlation of the extent of procedure and pathology to olfactory function outcomes will be discussed.