nose surgery
May 3, 2015 | 15,00 EUR | answered by Christian Welsch
How long does it take for a new mucous membrane to form after nasal surgery? Chronic sinusitis? After the wound has healed?
I had nasal surgery 8 weeks ago (reduction of the ethmoid concha and maxillary turbinate). I have had quite a bit of pain since the surgery, but it has improved. I am getting too much air, and initially had shortness of breath. The air is very dry. I feel like I am breathing into emptiness. The wound became infected a week ago. I have been taking antibiotics for 10 days.
The doctor said that after the new mucous membrane formation, breathing will be normalized.
I still have some scabs and crusts. He said that as long as there are crusts, new mucous membrane will not form.
Could you explain to me how this process works? I am very worried. Does this mean that everything is complete after the wound has healed? Or will the new mucous membrane continue to grow gradually over time?
Thank you very much.
Dear questioner, I assume you are the same person who asked this question a few days ago. As far as I know, I am the only ENT doctor in this forum.
As I already mentioned to you, there are significant differences between 2 weeks and a quarter of a year. Unfortunately, you do not mention what other treatments you are receiving. If the mucous membrane is initially too dry, there are moisturizing and soothing formulations available. In my experience, mucous membrane healing occurs simultaneously with crust formation, and they cannot be separated.
Permanent damage to a nose can only occur if too much tissue is removed or if it deteriorates due to inflammatory processes. In the worst-case scenario, this can result in an empty nose, where one struggles to breathe because the air swirls during inhalation.
If you were only operated on 8 weeks ago, it would be too early for me to suspect something like this. The symptoms you described may still be normal. Since you are very concerned, I would suggest having a second ENT doctor, preferably one who also performs surgeries, examine the situation.
Without knowing your medical history, it is impossible for me to provide an accurate assessment from a distance.
Do you have any questions?
Best regards, Welsch
