Can septoplasty affect your sense of smell? i've read some comments that some people couldn't smell after septoplasty. is that a temporary thing, or could it ever be permanent?

Some : Some temporary decreased smell is possible (though not necessarily routine) as a result of the swelling inside the nose after septoplasty. Permanently reduced smell is exceedingly rare, but it has been described and is usually related to a fracture of the bone of the septum connected to the smell organ in the roof of the nose. Septoplasty surgeons typically avoid injurying the bone in this area to prevent injury to the smell organ.

Agree : Agree with the previous answers. Permanent loss of "sense of smell" is possible - but rare. None of my patients ever complained of it.

Technically : Technically your sense of smell should not change after septoplasty, but i suppose anything is possible as the human anatomy is still different from one person to the next. Good luck from nyc. For more info visit www.Drgrossman.Com.