Can loss of smell (and potentially taste) be repaired after simultaneous septoplasty and tonsillectomy?

Question

My full sense of smell has not returned following my surgery over two years ago. Is there anything that can be done to get it back? Right now, its as if my nose is stuffed up all the time and I cannot fully taste or smell my food and other things.

Talmage J. Raine, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

It is quite unusual to have this problem after rhinoplasty. The smell nerves are located in the bone at the top of the nose. On the other side of that bone is your brain. My thought is that there is some obstruction of air at the top of that area not allowing the molecules of different smells to reach the nerve endings.I would recommend seeing an ENT doctor that can do an endoscopic procedure to look at that area. An MRI or CAT scan may also be helpful.All the best,Talmage Raine MD

Can loss of smell (and potentially taste) be repaired after simultaneous septoplasty and tonsillectomy?

Answers (1)