Türk Otorinolarengoloji Arşivi

Background/aim: Olfaction is necessary for healthy sexual intercourse. Better smell has been associated with a more positive sexual experience. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 40 patients diagnosed with a smell disorder and 60 healthy volunteers were included. The participants were divided into 2 groups according to sex. The female group had 19 patients and 25 female controls. The male group had 21 patients and 35 male controls. Sniffin’ Sticks tests, the World Health Organization quality of life assessment (WHOQOL), and hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) were applied to all participants. In addition, the international index of erectile function (IIEF) was applied to male participants, and the female sexual function index (FSFI) to female participants. The relationship between the Sniffin’ Sticks test and the WHOQOL, FSFI, IIEF, and HADS scores in both groups was analyzed statistically. Results: Hyposmic men scored significantly lower on all IIEF subscales (p < 0.001), while hyposmic women scored significantly lower on all FSFI subscales (p < 0.001).Multivariate logistic regression analysis in men showed 4.9 times lower overall satisfaction (95% CI 1.8–10.1) in hyposmic versus normosmic patients (p = 0.003). Satisfaction was 2.7 times lower (95% CI 1.5–4.8) in hyposmic women compared to normosmic women (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Both IIEF and FSFI were significantly lower in the hyposmic group. This supports previous research showing that decreased olfactory function is associated with decreased sexual function.

Objectives: This study aims to compare the functional outcomes and side effects of the holmium:YAG laser and the diode laser on turbinate reduction. Patients and Methods: Between January 2025 and December 2025, a total of 30 participants who underwent endoscopic turbinate reduction were included and divided into two groups: the holmium:YAG laser group (7 males, 9 females; mean age: 35.0±11.9 years; range, 19 to 61 years) and the diode laser group (8 males, 6 females; mean age: 33.0±13.8 years; range, 19 to 65 years). Preoperative and six-month postoperative Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scores, pain and dryness scores, Visual Analog Scale, and threshold, discrimination, and identification (TDI) scores determined with Sniffin' Sticks were compared. The results were analyzed statistically. Results: Holmium:YAG laser and diode laser concha reduction increased TDI scores in both groups (p = 0.02 and p = 0.03). Holmium:YAG laser and diode laser provided significant symptomatic improvement ( p = 0.023 and p = 0.011). However, no significant difference was observed between the two methods in terms of TDI scores and symptomatic improvement ( p > 0.05). Nasal dryness was slightly more common with the diode laser (0.049 and 0.059). Conclusion: The use of laser systems in nasal surgeries is becoming widespread. Holmium:YAG lasers and diode lasers are frequently used in turbinate reduction.