Evaluation of olfactory memory after sevoflurane anesthesia: is really short- term memory influenced?

Objective: Olfactory disorders can negatively effect the quality of life. Few clinical studies and case reports have investigated the relationship between anesthesia and olfactory dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sevoflurane on olfactory memory with Brief-Smell Identification TestTM in patients used sevoflurane. Patients and Methods: This, prospective, clinical study was performed on 60 ASA physical status I-II patients, between 18-65 years of age who were scheduled for expected surgery duration of 40-120 minutes. All patients were preoperatively informed about Brief-Smell Identification Test. For induction 2 mg.kg−1propofol, 0.5 mg.kg−1 rocuronium and 1 μg.kg−1 iv fentanyl were administered. Anesthesia was maintained with the inhalational of anesthetic sevoflurane (2%). Brief-Smell Identification Test scores are recorded 30 minutes before the surgery and when the Aldrate Recovery Score reached 10 in the postoperative period. Preoperative and postoperative results were compared and p-values<0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The patients mean age were 47.1 ± 13.8. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean preoperative and intraoperative HR and MAP values. Preoperative total correct answer rate to odorous substances was 85.4%, and postoperative rate was 84.5%. Percentage of the odor identification by the patients revealed no statistically significant difference when pre and post-operative rates were compared (P>0.05).