Impairment of Olfaction and Mucociliary Clearance After Expanded Endonasal Approach Using Vascularized Septal Flap Reconstruction for Skull Base Tumors

Abstract

EEA but not TTEA has a short-term (3 months) negative impact on patient's olfaction and mucociliary clearance. Patients should be informed about smell loss as a consequence of skull base surgery to prevent legal claims. Likewise, further research and some modifications on reconstruction flaps are encouraged to avoid damaging the olfactory neuroepithelium.