Response of olfactory acuity to surgical stress

In this study, the effect on olfaction of surgical procedures, performed distant to the nose, was analyzed. Twenty-three patients planned for surgery of minor or moderate degree under general anaesthesia were examined before surgery for evaluation of sense of smell with the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test and a smell threshold test (Olfacto-Labs). Reexamination was performed 24-48 hours postoperatively. Both tests demonstrated significant improvement in olfaction following surgery. The improvement was more obvious in younger patients and in patients undergoing moderate surgery compared with the minor surgery group but was, however not statistically significant.