title: Changes in olfactory acuity induced by total inferior turbinectomy.
abstract: The short-term and long-term effects of total inferior turbinectomy on smell acuity was assessed in two groups of patients. Olfactory thresholds were determined by a three-way forced-choice method, using four odorants. Resection of obstructive inferior turbinates resulted in a decrease in olfactory thresholds in 22 of 24 tested patients. No deleterious effect on smell acuity was observed in 16 patients tested 2 1/2 years or more after surgery. Subjective assessment of olfactory acuity is unreliable. It is our intention to focus attention on an aspect of intranasal surgery not frequently reported.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014420:Turbinates / Q000601:surgery*