[Olfactory function in children with adenoid hypertrophy who underwent adenotonsillectomy during pre- and post-operative period].

Objective: To assess the olfactory function in children with adenoid hypertrophy and investigate the changes of both olfactory function and appetite in children with adenoid hypertrophy before and after adenoidectomy. Methods: Forty-four children with adenoid hypertrophy admitted for adenoidectomy, aged 7-12 years, mean age (10.0±2.0) years were tested by Sniffin' Sticks test and visual analog scale(VAS) of the children's appetite preoperatively between March and August 2015.In a appointment 6 months after operation, all of them returned and were tested again. The control group consisted of 40 healthy children, aged 7-12 years, mean age (11.2±0.8) years.SPSS 13.0 software was used for statistical analysis Results: The olfactory function of the study group TDI scores (32.4±3.5) preoperatively were significantly lower in comparison with the results of the control group TDI scores (37.3±2.8)(t=7.057, P<0.001). Significant improvement of olfaction TDI scores (36.8±1.9) was observed in the follow-up appointment(t=13.573, P<0.001). The VAS of the children's appetite during post-adenoidectomy was higher compared to pre-adenoidectomy(t=16.765, P<0.001). There was a strong correlation between the increase in appetite of children and the change of TDI score (r=0.59, P<0.01). Conclusions: Children with adenoid hypertrophy have a reduced ability of both olfactory function and appetite. Surgery had a greater impact on olfaction and appetite.