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Objectives: To investigate effects of nitrous oxide (N2O), as inhalational anesthetic agent, on tympanoplasty outcomes. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, patients were randomized into two groups: 39 patients who received N2O as an inhalant anesthesia and 47 patients who did not receive. All were operated on with standard type of ear surgery. The protocol for the two groups was identical. Before surgery baseline audiometry was performed. Postoperative audiological controls were carried out at 3 months. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between two groups regarding graft outcomes. No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding air-bone gap or bone conduction hearing level. Conclusions: Nitrous oxide usage does not seem to have significant impact on graft or hearing outcome of patients undergoing surgical repair of tympanic membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olfactory dysfunction is a known complication of diabetes and, despite its importance in the quality of life, is usually neglected due to its gradual progression. In this study, we aim to determine the prevalence and severity of olfactory dysfunction in diabetics and its association with microangiopathic complications of the disease (neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy). Excluding the confounding factors, a case-control study of 60 eligible subjects, divided into a group of 30 diabetic patients and a group of 30 control subjects was performed. We used "absorbent perfumer's paper strips" method to test the olfactory threshold. In our study, 60% of diabetics were found to have some degree of olfactory dysfunction and a significant difference (P<0.01) between the olfactory threshold of the case and control groups was observed. There were no significant associations between the olfactory dysfunction and age, sex, treatment duration and microangiopathic complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]