Reconstructive septorhinoplasty to improve olfaction

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Observational study to assess the efficacy of reconstructive septorhinoplasty in restoring olfaction in adult patients with trauma induced hyp-/anosmia

• IRAS ID

  156511

• Contact name

  Peter Andrews

• Contact email

  peterandrews@nhs.net

• Sponsor organisation

  Joint Research Office

• Research summary

  The human sense of smell (also known as ‘olfaction’) depends on the activation of special cells in the lining of the upper nose by odours. Activation of these cells causes transmission of information via nerves to the brain. Activation of special areas in our brain makes us conscious of what we smell. Olfaction can be impaired due to damage of these cells in the nose, the transmitting nerves or the brain.

  Reduced or absent smell can be caused by a variety of things. For example, a viral flu like illness can result in temporary or permanent reduction in our sense of smell. Furthermore, head injury, in which neurological damage (damage to the nerves or brain) has occurred, can also cause damage.
  
  It has been observed that some people lose their sense of smell following injury to the nose. This has been seen to occur without any known damage to the lining of the nose, the nerves that transmit information or the brain itself. Patients experiencing anosmia may also suffer with reduction in taste sensation as these senses are linked.

  A reconstructive septorhinoplasty (or ‘nose-job’) is an operation to reconstruct the shape of the nose to be more symmetrical and allow better airflow through the nasal cavities. This operation is usually performed for people with blocked nasal airflow or a cosmetically unacceptable appearance of the nose, and is an established treatment for these indications. It has been observed anecdotally, however, that some people who have had this operation for one of these reasons, have also noticed an improvement in their sense of smell.

  The purpose of this research is to determine whether reconstructive septorhinoplasty can help to restore smell in people who have lost this sense through injury to the nose, without injury to the other structures involved in olfaction.

• REC name

  South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  14/SC/1180

• Date of REC Opinion

  2 Sep 2014

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion