What could be causing foul odor 6 months after rhinoplasty revision?

Sometimes people can experience a bad smell in their nose after nasal surgery from inspisated mucus. Many people get relief from this by rinsing their noses out with nasal saline. Your surgeon or an otolaryngologist can confirm your diagnosis with nasal endoscopy. Thank you for your question. Sincerely, Dr Joseph

That odor could be coming from area inside the nose that haven’t healed well. Frequent use of saline nasal spray or nasal gavage should help. You should see your surgeon to see if there are any problem areas inside the nose that could be causing the odor

Hello and thank you for your question. This smell can actually be very normal after surgery and often is not sure to infection. It can be due to mucosal turnover, dissolving sutures, or mucosa recovering exposed internal structures. Time usually eventually resolves this but it can last many months and up to one year. I recommend that you maintain close follow up with your qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon