The disease that suddenly caused the man to live in an "odorless world" for 8 years

(Dan Tri) - For a long time, the man lived in a “smellless world”, where family meals or morning coffee became tasteless. He came to South Saigon Hospital when treatment efforts elsewhere failed.

Years living in the "smellless world "

Nearly 8 years ago, Mr. T. (37 years old) had persistent nasal congestion and then realized that his sense of smell was gradually fading. Until one day, all scents suddenly disappeared.

Since then, he has lived in a “smellless world”, where every breath is nothing but emptiness. Although he still eats, breathes, and lives like everyone else, the man can no longer feel the smallest things.

“At first, my family and I thought it was just a normal stuffy nose. But despite seeking treatment in many places, the condition did not improve. When I sat down to eat, I felt nothing, and no matter how delicious the food was, it became tasteless.

I felt like I was separated from the world around me. For others, smelling the aroma of coffee in the morning or the smell of a freshly washed shirt is normal. But for me, for the past 8 years, that has only been a memory…”, Mr. T. shared.

When he almost had to accept living with his loss of smell, because all treatments had failed, Mr. T. was introduced to Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital by an acquaintance.

Here, he was directly examined by Master, Doctor, Specialist II Nguyen Truong Khuong - Professional Director, who has 26 years of experience in the field of Otorhinolaryngology.

Doctor Nguyen Truong Khuong examines a patient (Photo: BVCC).

The results of the endoscopy and CT scan showed that he had a severe deviated nasal septum, along with polyps in the nasal cavity on both sides and the ethmoid, maxillary, and frontal sinuses. These “silent factors” caused the patient’s airway to be blocked and his sense of smell to gradually disappear.

“In Mr. T.’s case, medical treatment is unlikely to be effective because the lesions and polyps obstruct the airflow. The optimal solution is endoscopic septal surgery combined with removal of all polyps, to free the airway and open up the opportunity for him to restore his sense of smell,” Dr. Khuong shared.

“2 in 1” surgery to regain the sense of smell thought to be lost

For more than two hours, Master, Doctor, Specialist II Nguyen Truong Khuong and the surgical team performed nasal septum correction, endoscopic sinus opening, and polyp removal for the patient.

This is a surgery that requires meticulousness and high precision, because the doctor must both restore the structure of the septum and thoroughly handle the factors that cause prolonged obstruction. With the support of a modern endoscopic system and a micro-suction cutting head, diseased tissues are accurately removed, limiting bleeding and minimizing damage to healthy tissue.

The endoscopic surgery team performed septal correction and polyp removal for Mr. T. (Photo: CC Hospital).

Each operation is performed in a streamlined manner, helping to shorten anesthesia time and support the patient to recover quickly after surgery. After only 2-3 days, when the surgical wound was less swollen and the airway was clear, Mr. T. began to sense the first scents after nearly 8 years of thinking he had lost them.

“I never thought I would be able to smell the familiar scents around me again. This feeling seems simple, but to me it is a luxury, like returning to life,” Mr. T. emotionally shared.

His story not only brings hope to those in similar situations, but is also a testament to the professional capacity and treatment effectiveness of Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital, where complex cases are approached with advanced techniques and dedication throughout the entire care journey.

With the mission of providing comprehensive health care, focusing on patients, Nam Sai Gon General Hospital constantly applies modern technology and improves professional quality, affirming its position as a medical address for patients not only in Vietnam but also in neighboring areas.

Doctor checks patient's airway 1 day after surgery (Photo: BVCC).

Through the above case, Master, Doctor, Specialist II Nguyen Truong Khuong shared that loss of smell due to nasal polyps, enlarged nasal turbinates, or deviated septum can be cured if diagnosed correctly and intervened promptly.

“In many cases, a cold, allergy or mild sinusitis can recover on its own after a few days. However, if the loss of smell lasts for several weeks, the patient should go to a reputable medical facility to be examined by a doctor and receive proper treatment to avoid the condition from getting worse,” Dr. Khuong advised.

South Saigon International General Hospital

Address: 88 Street No. 8, Trung Son Residential Area, Binh Hung Commune, HCMC

Hotline: 1800 6767

Website: https://benhviennamsaigon.com/

Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/BenhVienDaKhoaQuocTeNamSaiGon

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/can-benh-khien-nguoi-dan-ong-bong-song-trong-the-gioi-khong-mui-8-nam-20251104232238704.htm