A recent study has shown that patients suffering from loss of smell due to long Covid have experienced restoration through a surgical procedure known as functional septorhinoplasty (fSRP).

Long Covid, affecting approximately 6% of Covid-19 patients, presents a frustrating array of symptoms, including significant loss of smell and taste.

One participant, 27-year-old Penelope Newman from south London, had previously resigned herself to permanently losing her sense of smell and taste, which significantly impacted her food choices and social life.

The study specifically focused on patients who had lost their sense of smell for over two years and had previously failed treatments such as smell training and corticosteroids.

Building on findings from 2023, the research suggests that fSRP could be a viable option for patients with persistent olfactory dysfunction, particularly when other treatments have not been effective.

This surgical success is particularly noteworthy given that much research on long Covid has not yielded substantial results.

Researchers are now investigating potential brain changes following fSRP to better understand its long-term benefits for olfactory function.

Participants' sense of smell was evaluated over a six-month period using the Sniffin' Sticks test, which assesses both sensitivity to odors and the ability to identify different smells.

Although Newman noted a slight ongoing reduction in her sense of smell, she expressed gratitude for regaining a sense of normalcy and connection with others.

Despite these promising outcomes, further research is needed to establish the safety and efficacy of fSRP, especially involving larger groups over extended periods.

While fSRP addresses a significant symptom of long Covid, many other aspects of the condition remain to be explored and treated by medical professionals.

The findings of this study were published in the journal Facial Plastic Surgery, highlighting the procedure's effectiveness in restoring olfactory function.