My Husband’s Empty Nose Syndrome Diagnosis After Septoplasty and Turbinate Reduction

My Husband’s Unexpected ENS Diagnosis After Surgery

My husband underwent a septoplasty and turbinate reduction at the beginning of the summer. (we dont´t know when) He was never informed beforehand that a turbinate reduction would be performed it was never mentioned in his pre-op consultation (it's often like this). Before the surgery, he was a happy, healthy man. The PDF file for this case can be viewed or downloaded here

 

Immediate Symptoms: Sleep Deprivation and Nerve Damage

He immediately knew something was wrong after the procedure. He couldn’t sleep for more than a few minutes at a time, even with prescription sleeping aids. The sleep deprivation was beyond anything I thought a human could endure. His surgeon refused to take his calls. Desperate, we sought another ENT, a senior specialist at a major hospital, who diagnosed him with Empty Nose Syndrome (ENS) due to severe nerve damage. He couldn’t even feel a scope until it reached his throat.

The Devastating Outcome: Losing the Battle Against ENS

He couldn’t take it anymore, and earlier this month, he took his own life. (likely year 2022)

The Financial and Legal Aftermath of ENS Malpractice

Amidst my overwhelming grief, I also fear the financial consequences of his loss, especially since we have a one-year-old child. I haven’t spoken to any lawyers yet, and I’m not optimistic, but I wonder if anyone knows about malpractice lawsuits related to ENS. Has anyone ever succeeded in taking legal action against a surgeon?

A Warning to Others Considering Turbinectomy

For anyone considering a turbinectomy, please be extremely careful. My husband lost the life he worked so hard for, I lost my amazing partner, and our daughter lost her father.

The Medical Denial of Empty Nose Syndrome

The most tragic and infuriating part is the medical denial. We were fortunate to find two ENTs who at least acknowledged ENS, providing one provisional and one confident diagnosis. But his original surgeon, along with others we contacted, claimed they had "never heard of it." While I generally trust medical professionals, this level of denial borders on negligence—if not outright malice.

The Difficulty of Winning ENS Malpractice Cases

I have since learned that ENS malpractice cases are difficult to win. Unless there is gross negligence, success is rare. Some have managed to win cases, particularly those involving a total turbinectomy, which is considered an outdated method. But for those who had more conservative procedures, legal action seems nearly impossible.

Finding Support: The ENS Awareness Community

For support, I was advised to check the ‘Empty Nose Syndrome Awareness’ group on Facebook, where some have shared success stories regarding legal cases, while others have not been as fortunate.

Raising Awareness: The Unacknowledged Tragedy of ENS

This condition has stolen so many innocent lives, yet there is barely any acknowledgment of the doctors responsible. It is a tragedy that needs to be addressed. Link to the post on Reddit, click here or on the image below.