Bad Smell in Nose 2 Months After Setoplasty?

Question

I had a septoplasty, tonsillectomy, and tissue removed from my inner nasal cavity and sinuses about 2 months ago. All of a sudden, I'm starting to notice a severely disgusting smell that's located inside my nose and frequently, when mucus seeps down to my throat, I can smell it coming from there as well. That smell is the only thing I can smell. What can be the cause of this? I called my doctor and he just prescribed antibiotics over the phone. What else can it be? Why does it smell so bad?

Andrew Pichler, MD · Answer

In addition to the previous important comments there could also be some retained foreign body in your nose. You  definitely have to be seen and examined.

Sumit Bapna, MD · Answer

The smell you are experiencing in your nose is probably secondary to some crusting as a result of your surgery. It sounds like you also had some sort of turbinate reduction procedure.  As the turbinates heal patients can form some crusting and postnasal drainage.

	Antibiotics should help with this, but I would also recommend rinsing your nose with nasal saline. Also the crusting may need to be debrided in the office.

Dara Liotta, MD, FACS · Answer

After sinus surgery in particular, crusting of dried blood and mucous inside the nose is normal. These crusts can get quite large, block the newly created openings to the sinuses, and smell quite bad. Many surgeons, myself included, will periodically see patients after sinus surgery to "debride" these crusts. Without examning you, I can't say that this is definitely your issue, but it is quite common. I suggest that you get in touch with your surgeon and make an appointment for a post-operative examination.

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Bad Smell in Nose 2 Months After Setoplasty?

Answers (3)

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