Surgery Restores Sense of Smell for Long Covid Patients

A new nasal procedure has shown promising results for individuals suffering smell loss after prolonged Covid-19 symptoms.

London Hospitals (UCLH) researchers used functional septorhinoplasty (fSRP) to treat smell loss in long Covid patients.
The surgery improves airflow to the olfactory region by widening nasal passages, aiding the delivery of odorants to stimulate smell recovery.
A study involving 25 patients found all 12 individuals who underwent surgery experienced improved smell, while none in the control group did.
Long Covid smell loss affects an estimated 50,000 to 100,000 people in the UK, with previous treatments like smell training and corticosteroids often proving ineffective.
Researchers are now exploring potential brain changes following the surgery to better understand its long-term benefits.