Impact of External Dacryocystorhinostomy on Olfactory Function: An Observational Study

Faruk Kadri Bakkal; Suzan Doğruya; Yunus Emre Topan; Yunus Karaduman; Abdullah Kınar; Kerimcan Çakıcı; Necat Alataş

Impact of External Dacryocystorhinostomy on Olfactory Function: An Observational Study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate whether external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) affects olfactory function. Methods: This study included 34 patients who underwent external DCR for nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Olfactory function was assessed preoperatively and at the second postoperative month using the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) test. The primary outcome was the change in total CCCRC score. Secondary outcomes included changes in butanol threshold score and odor identification score. A two-sided p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study included 34 patients, consisting of 29 females and 5 males, with a mean age of 57.1 ± 15.6 years. The median total CCCRC score did not differ significantly between the preoperative and postoperative assessments [5.50 (IQR, 4.50–6.50) vs. 5.25 (IQR, 4.13–6.00), respectively; p = 0.223]. Although the median butanol threshold score numerically decreased from 6.00 (IQR, 5.00–7.00) to 5.00 (IQR, 4.00–7.00), this change was not statistically significant (p = 0.068). Odor identification scores were unchanged, with a median score of 5.00 at both time points (preoperative IQR, 4.00–6.00; postoperative IQR, 3.25–7.00; p = 0.643). Conclusion: External DCR did not significantly affect any olfactory outcome at the second postoperative month. These findings suggest that external DCR appears safe with regard to overall olfactory function.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

The authors declare that this study received no financial support.

Ethical Statement

This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Uşak University Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Approval No: 730-730-04, June 26, 2025).

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Otorhinolaryngology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Faruk Kadri Bakkal ^*
0000-0001-6047-2964
Türkiye

Suzan Doğruya
0000-0002-6822-9077
Türkiye

Yunus Emre Topan
0009-0005-1869-6821
Türkiye

Yunus Karaduman
0009-0006-9258-1149
Türkiye

Abdullah Kınar
0000-0002-2968-4165
Türkiye

Kerimcan Çakıcı
0000-0002-9676-152X
Türkiye

Necat Alataş
0000-0003-0894-2134
Türkiye

Publication Date

October 30, 2026

Submission Date

June 22, 2026

Acceptance Date

October 26, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 3

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA56JU54LA

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Bakkal, F. K., Doğruya, S., Topan, Y. E., Karaduman, Y., Kınar, A., Çakıcı, K., & Alataş, N. (2026). Impact of External Dacryocystorhinostomy on Olfactory Function: An Observational Study. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy, 9(3), 139-144. https://izlik.org/JA56JU54LA

AMA

1.Bakkal FK, Doğruya S, Topan YE, et al. Impact of External Dacryocystorhinostomy on Olfactory Function: An Observational Study. Eur J Rhinol Allergy. 2026;9(3):139-144. https://izlik.org/JA56JU54LA

Chicago

Bakkal, Faruk Kadri, Suzan Doğruya, Yunus Emre Topan, et al. 2026. “Impact of External Dacryocystorhinostomy on Olfactory Function: An Observational Study”. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy 9 (3): 139-44. https://izlik.org/JA56JU54LA.

EndNote

Bakkal FK, Doğruya S, Topan YE, Karaduman Y, Kınar A, Çakıcı K, Alataş N (October 30, 2026) Impact of External Dacryocystorhinostomy on Olfactory Function: An Observational Study. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy 9 3 139–144.

IEEE

[1]F. K. Bakkal et al., “Impact of External Dacryocystorhinostomy on Olfactory Function: An Observational Study”, Eur J Rhinol Allergy, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 139–144, Oct. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA56JU54LA

ISNAD

Bakkal, Faruk Kadri - Doğruya, Suzan - Topan, Yunus Emre - Karaduman, Yunus - Kınar, Abdullah - Çakıcı, Kerimcan - Alataş, Necat. “Impact of External Dacryocystorhinostomy on Olfactory Function: An Observational Study”. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy 9/3 (October 30, 2026): 139-144. https://izlik.org/JA56JU54LA.

JAMA

1.Bakkal FK, Doğruya S, Topan YE, Karaduman Y, Kınar A, Çakıcı K, Alataş N. Impact of External Dacryocystorhinostomy on Olfactory Function: An Observational Study. Eur J Rhinol Allergy. 2026;9:139–144.

MLA

Bakkal, Faruk Kadri, et al. “Impact of External Dacryocystorhinostomy on Olfactory Function: An Observational Study”. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy, vol. 9, no. 3, Oct. 2026, pp. 139-44, https://izlik.org/JA56JU54LA.

Vancouver

1.Faruk Kadri Bakkal, Suzan Doğruya, Yunus Emre Topan, Yunus Karaduman, Abdullah Kınar, Kerimcan Çakıcı, Necat Alataş. Impact of External Dacryocystorhinostomy on Olfactory Function: An Observational Study. Eur J Rhinol Allergy [Internet]. 2026 Oct. 30;9(3):139-44. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA56JU54LA