A Case of Treatment of Empty Nose Syndrome Using Auricular Conchal Cartilage and Filler

Empty nose syndrome (ENS) is a rare complication of nose or sinus surgery, and of inferior turbinectomy in particular. Symptomatology is variable and changeable, the most common sign being paradoxical nasal obstruction. Treatments include moistening nasal cavity by local irrigation, humidification, applying ointment or narrowing of the nasal cavity. We report a 61-year-old male patient who suffered from dryness, nasal obstruction and crusting in the nose after sinus surgery and turbinate reduction. We harvested auricular conchal cartilage and implanted on both side of the caudal part of cartilaginous septum. Calcium hydroxylapatite filler (Radiesse ® , Merz aesthetics Inc., San Mateo, CA, USA) was injected in the anterior end of both inferior turbinates, submucosally. The patient achieved a significant symptom improvement without any complica tions. We experienced a case of ENS and report successful treatment using an auricular conchal cartilage and filler.