The Impact of Septoplasty Operation on Odor Threshold Score and Symptom Severity According to the Nasal Septum Deviation Classifications

OBJECTIVE: The authors aimed to determine the changes in the odor threshold and sinonasal outcome test-22 scores of the patients after septoplasty surgery in terms of nasal septum deviation classifications. METHODS: Forty-nine patients with nasal septum deviation, aged between 17 and 65, were included in our study. The sinonasal outcome test-22 scores questionnaire and the N-Butanol Threshold test were administered to the patients, 2 days before and 2 months after the septoplasty. RESULTS: The authors' study had 4 major findings: Odor threshold scores improved after septoplasty operation both for the narrower and the wider side of the nasal airway passage. The Vidigal classification for nasal septum deviation was best for predicting the changes for odor threshold scores after septoplasty operation. The nasal septum deviation in which the nasal septum was pushing the inferior turbinate to lateral nasal wall caused the most smell dysfunction according to the Vidigal classification. Unilateral vertical crest affecting the nasal valv area or the posterior part of the septum had the most negative effect on olfactory functions according to the Mladina classification. CONCLUSION: Septoplasty operation leads to improvement in odor threshold scores, and the Vidigal nasal septum deviation classification was best in predicting postoperative odor threshold changes.