A groundbreaking nasal surgery has restored the sense of smell in a dozen long Covid patients who had lost it due to anosmia. The procedure, known as functional septorhinoplasty (fSRP), was employed by experts at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Researchers estimate that between 50,000 and 100,000 individuals in the UK are struggling with long Covid-related smell loss. However, previous treatments like smell training and corticosteroids proved ineffective.
The fSRP procedure addresses deviations in the nasal septum, widening the nasal passageways and increasing airflow to the olfactory region at the roof of the nasal cavity. This region is crucial for processing smell, and increased airflow allows a greater concentration of odorants to reach it.
One patient, Penelope Newman, 27, from south London, experienced a near-complete restoration of her sense of smell after undergoing the surgery. Her results have been published in the journal Facial Plastic Surgery. Before the surgery, Ms Newman had accepted that she would “probably never be able to smell or taste things the way I used to.”
After having the surgery, Ms Newman said she could now cook and eat garlic and onions like before, and even enjoy going out to restaurants with her friends and family. She added that she will never take her senses for granted again.
The research was led by Professor Peter Andrews and Alfonso Luca Pendolino, who believe that increasing airflow to the olfactory region is key to restoring the sense of smell in long Covid patients. The experts said that persistent Covid anosmia remains a problem for an estimated 50,000 to 100,000 people.
As a follow-up, researchers are now looking at brain changes that occur following fSRP, which could explain its long-term benefits.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/long-covid-smell-restored-surgery-b2710300.html