Effects of complete middle turbinate resection vs. preservation on olfactory function, quality of life and endoscopic view in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

Due to higher prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in Iran compared to the world (53 percent and 12 percent respectively) this study was considered to evaluate differences in endoscopic exam, olfactory function, and quality- of-life (QoL) status after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) for patients with and without bilateral middle turbinate (BMT) resection. 60 Subjects completing informed consent interviews and passed inclusion and exclusion criteria were diagnosed as CRS and asked to provide pre and postoperative responses to the standard tests and questionnaires with 3 months and 6 months of follow up. Analysis was performed at the 0.05 P-value level by SPSS-27. Generally, 51.7 percent (30 cases) were included in group A and 48.3 percent (28 cases) were included in group B. As the patients with bilateral middle turbinates resection had a significantly worse baseline smell test interpreting and after 6 months the difference was not obvious between the two groups surgery maybe very effective in the group A. On the other hand, the quality of life and endoscopic score questionnaires results found no statistically significant improvement differences. This investigation found no difference in quality of life and endoscopic view between the two groups. Olfactory function tests showed meaningful results and the group with middle turbinates resection did show greater improvement.