Smell is an underappreciated sense - until it's lost. The ability to smell, distinguish flavors, detect dangers like smoke, or simply associate smells with emotions and memories has a profound impact on quality of life. Loss of smell is an increasingly common complaint in clinical practice. Although COVID-19 has brought this issue to the forefront of public attention, the truth is that many people already suffered from chronic olfactory dysfunction silently and without a clear diagnosis. During the pandemic, we saw how loss of smell affects not only our sensory perception, but also emotional, nutritional, social, and even professional life. For some patients, the loss of smell persists for months or years, even after trying conventional treatments such as corticosteroid therapy (topical or systemic), vitamin supplements , or olfactory rehabilitation . In this context, new therapeutic solutions have been studied. One safe, innovative, and science-based solution is the injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) into the olfactory mucosa. Platelet-rich plasma for smell loss Platelet-rich plasma is obtained by collecting a small amount of the patient's own blood , which is then centrifuged to isolate the fraction richest in growth factors and cell regeneration. The resulting concentrate is then injected, under local anesthesia and endoscopic control, into a specific area of the nasal cavity that houses the olfactory mucosa. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis (without hospitalization); It is almost painless. It has been demonstrated in different studies that it induces significant improvement in olfactory function in patients with persistent anosmia (no sense of smell) or hyposmia (decreased sense of smell). It is important, however, to clarify one essential point: Not all patients with smell problems are candidates for this treatment. Before proposing any intervention, a detailed otorhinolaryngology evaluation is mandatory. This consultation allows to identify the cause of the olfactory dysfunction, rule out structural or inflammatory pathologies, perform validated objective psychophysical olfactory evaluation tests (such as Sniffin' Sticks). Only then can the indication for platelet-rich plasma treatment be though. Olfactory rehabilitation at Hospital da Luz At Hospital da Luz, this technique has already been performed on patients with more than 12 months of persistent olfactory loss unresponsive to other types of treatment, and the results were encouraging: objective and subjective improvement in smell perception, with no significant complications is observed. Besides being safe, this technique is minimally invasive and can be repeated in selected cases. It does not replace other approaches, but it emerges as a valid alternative when traditional options have failed. And, above all, it gives new hope to those who felt without alternatives and often misunderstood. Of course, as with any medical innovation, there are still limitations and questions to be clarified. It is necessary to continue studying the long-term impact, efficacy in different etiologies of olfactory dysfunction, and the best way to personalize treatment. However, over these five years, the results have been very favorable and reinforce the role of otorhinolaryngology in olfactory rehabilitation. More than a technique, platelet-rich plasma represents a paradigm shift: moving from resignation to action, from passive waiting to active rehabilitation. Therefore, if you have lost your sense of smell, whether recently or long ago, you should know that there are new options. The answer may not be immediate, nor guaranteed. But it always starts the same way: with an accurate diagnosis and a thorough evaluation. Meet the otorhinolaryngology team at Hospital da Luz and schedule your appointment.
