Impact of nasoseptal flap elevation on sinonasal quality of life in endoscopic endonasal approach to pituitary adenomas

To evaluate the impact of nasoseptal flap (NSF) elevation on sinonasal quality of life (QOL) in patients with pituitary adenomas who underwent endoscopic endonasal trans-sphenoidal approach (EETSA), the data of 106 eligible patients were included from February 2011 to December 2014. The scores of Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) Questionnaire were assessed in case (that received reconstruction with NSF) and control groups preoperatively as well as 1, 3, 6, and more than 12 months postoperatively. Nine most related sinonasal questions were evaluated separately (9Q). There were no significant inter-group differences in the mean SNOT-22, 9Q, and sense of taste/smell scores in preoperative and all postoperative assessments. Within each group, a significant improvement of SNOT-22 and 9Q scores were noted after 12 months of surgery compared to preoperative data. In the NSF group, comparison of the pre- and first postoperative evaluation revealed a significant deterioration in 9Q score (p = 0.007) and "sense of taste/smell" (p < 0.001) which both returned to baseline in the 3rd month. Patients who used nasal paper mask for more than 100 "hour-days" showed a better SNOT-22 scores at 1st (p = 0.04) and 3rd (p < 0.001) months after surgery. Patients with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretory adenomas showed significantly higher scores of SNOT-22 in all postoperative assessments compared to the others. Although nasal symptoms deteriorated at first postoperative month (compare to preoperative data) in the NSF group, no negative impacts on the sinonasal QOL was showed comparing to the control group. ACTH-secreting adenomas could be assumed as a risk factor for poorer sinonasal QOL in EETSA.