Ask a doctor on the topic of Otorhinolaryngology

NOSE JOB

April 29, 2015 | 15,00 EUR | answered by Christian Welsch

Good day,

I would like to know when and how the nasal mucosa regenerates or rebuilds. I had a nose operation 8 weeks ago due to chronic sinusitis (concha bullosa, ethmoid, maxillary and inferior turbinate mucotomia). I feel like my nose is completely empty. I am not breathing well even though everything is clear. I have difficulty breathing. The wound healing took a long time, it also got infected. I went to the doctor today and it looks better, there are no more scabs. but it is not completely healed yet. He said that AFTER THE ENTIRE WOUND HEALING COMES THE PHASE WHERE THE NEW MUCOSA WILL FORM AND EVERYTHING WILL BE IN ORDER (as long as the wound is not completely healed, the nose does not regenerate). I do not understand, I thought the mucosa regenerates together with wound healing.

The doctor said that these symptoms are present because the new mucosa is not yet there and that it was a major operation. Is it like a wound on the skin? I know that the new skin always comes after wound healing.

Please help me. I want to know if this is correct. Is something wrong? I am very worried. Please reassure me.

Thank you very much.

Christian Welsch

Dear questioner, the mucous membrane of the nose usually heals differently and more slowly than normal skin. For example, if you have a wound on your hand, a brown crust forms, falls off, and the skin is completely healed. In the case of the nose, this process is much slower, with crusts forming again and again, falling off, and new ones forming, gradually healing the mucous membrane. There are significant differences in the speed of wound healing, with some patients having hardly any crusts after 14 days and needing help, while others may require follow-up care for up to three months.

If all sinuses are operated on simultaneously, there is a wound area on each side as large as a hand, which can take time. It is unusual that you still cannot breathe after 8 weeks, so I would recommend seeking a second opinion from another ENT specialist. Using a nasal douche could also be helpful if your ENT specialist has not already recommended it.

Do you have any questions? Regards, Welsch