Documented Adverse Effects Associated with Empty Nose Syndrome After Common Nasal Surgeries

Thinking About Nasal Surgery? Know the Risks of Empty Nose Syndrome.

If you're considering nasal surgery to address chronic congestion or for cosmetic reasons, it's essential to understand not only the potential benefits but also the possible risks. Procedures such as rhinoplasty, septoplasty, and turbinate reduction are commonly performed — but long-term follow-up data is often limited. In some cases, patients have experienced serious and lasting side effects.

One of the lesser-known yet most concerning complications is Empty Nose Syndrome (ENS) — a condition that can develop after nasal surgery and lead to severe physical and psychological distress. ENS can significantly impair normal breathing and has been associated with sensations of suffocation, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. For those affected, it can profoundly diminish quality of life.

This article examines 16 documented cases of severe outcomes associated with ENS. If you're planning nasal surgery as a permanent solution to breathing problems, it's crucial to weigh the potential risks against the expected benefits. Though rare, ENS can have a lasting impact on both mental and physical health.

Below, you'll find an embedded file with detailed personal accounts from 16 individuals who underwent nasal surgery to resolve long-standing congestion — only to encounter unexpected and life-altering consequences.

Download English PDF version here    Get the Swedish version in PDF here

Embedded word file - English version

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.

När Livet Går Förlorat Efter Näskirurgi: Videor Efter Konkotomi och Septoplastik - Tom näsa syndrom / ENS