Historical ENS case · U.S. Air Force veteran
Jack Ackland: A WWII Veteran’s Long-Term Suffering After Turbinectomy and Nasal Surgery
Jack Ackland’s story spans military flight training, repeated sinus procedures, chronic pain, disability and a decades-later medical review stating that his post-surgical condition would now be described as Empty Nose Syndrome.
Jack Ackland served in the U.S. military during the World War II era and hoped to continue flying. According to the supplied article and family documentation, worsening sinus problems during flight training led to multiple operations, including turbinate surgery. The procedures were followed by persistent pain, excessive nasal openness, atrophic rhinitis, recurrent respiratory illness and loss of his ability to continue his military flying career.
Military service, flight training and worsening sinus problems
Jack was a devoted serviceman who wanted to fly. The supplied account states that his sinus symptoms became increasingly difficult during aviation training, where pressure changes intensified facial and sinus pain.
He initially hoped medical treatment would allow him to continue his career. Instead, the case record describes repeated interventions followed by complications that progressively limited his ability to fly and eventually ended that part of his military service.
In a later letter, Jack recalled that the symptoms and pain became so severe during flying that he could no longer continue in the air.
The 1943 nasal surgery and turbinectomy
According to the article excerpts supplied with this page, Jack was treated by Major R. W. Wright, M.D., head of an ENT department. Jack wrote that he had been reluctant to undergo sinus surgery but eventually consented after substantial pressure.
The source material describes removal of nasal cartilage and bone followed by surgery on the turbinates. It states that the ends of the turbinates were resected, the nasal cavity became excessively open and Jack later developed atrophic rhinitis and abnormal airflow.
Years of chronic pain, respiratory illness and disability
The supplied records describe a long period of persistent illness after Jack’s operations. He experienced severe headaches, recurrent sore throats, bronchial problems, arthritis attacks, weight loss, weakness and susceptibility to respiratory infections.
A supporting physician, Dr. E. R. Fenton, was quoted as regarding Jack’s disability as permanent and total. The records also describe periods when colleagues saw him leaving work close to collapse and occasions when his wife had to collect him because of the severity of his symptoms.
Historical records describe cartilage and bone resection together with turbinectomy.
The supplied material describes continuing sinus drainage, pain, respiratory complications and reduced physical capacity.
Jack was reportedly hospitalized with sinusitis, streptococcal infection and major systemic complications.
Jack continued seeking recognition for the long-term consequences of his sinus and respiratory conditions.
The family account describes worsening physical suffering, isolation and psychological distress before Jack passed away.
The supplied article states that the VA later recognized a mental disorder directly related to the consequences of Jack’s service-connected sinusitis and bronchitis.
Why Jack Ackland’s case is now discussed as Empty Nose Syndrome
The most important modern connection comes from the retrospective review described by Len Ackland. He asked Dr. Robert M. Meyers, an ENT professor at the University of Illinois in Chicago, to review the details of Jack’s operations and later symptoms.
According to the supplied article, Dr. Meyers explained that nasal surgery in the 1940s was performed much more aggressively than modern practice and stated that Jack’s resulting condition would today be referred to as Empty Nose Syndrome.
That retrospective description is significant because the historical records already described several features now associated with ENS discussions: extensive turbinate loss, an enlarged nasal cavity, excessive airflow, atrophic rhinitis, severe discomfort and profound functional impairment.
The VA appeal and recognition of Jack’s long-term suffering
The supplied case account states that the Department of Veterans Affairs initially declined to connect Jack’s final decline with his service-related disability. His wife appealed that decision while trying to support their children on a modest salary.
Nearly a year later, according to the source material, the VA reversed its earlier position. The agency recognized a marked personality change and psychiatric manifestations associated with an acquired mental disorder, and linked that disorder directly to the consequences of Jack’s sinusitis and bronchitis.
His widow was then granted Dependency and Indemnity Compensation. In the family narrative, that decision represented a delayed acknowledgment of how severe Jack’s chronic physical illness and related psychological distress had become.
Historical records and article excerpts
Read selected historical excerpts and findings
Jack’s reluctance before surgery
Jack wrote that he had been determined not to undergo sinus surgery but eventually consented after considerable pressure. The procedure was described as a submucosal operation involving removal of internal nasal cartilage and bone.
Criticism of the operation
The supplied article states that other doctors later questioned the necessity and extent of the surgery. The post-operative picture included an enlarged nasal cavity, atrophic rhinitis and excessive airflow.
Unable to continue flying
Jack later recalled that the pain became worse with flying and that the symptoms were ultimately severe enough to ground him and end his effort to continue an aviation career.
Permanent disability
A physician who had treated Jack for years described persistent posterior sinus drainage, bronchial illness and subsequent arthritis, and regarded his disability as permanent and total.
Later ENT review
Decades later, Dr. Robert M. Meyers reviewed the historical surgical details and, according to Len Ackland’s article, said the condition resulting from those procedures would now be called Empty Nose Syndrome.
Original article and supporting PDF
The original long-form article was written in 2018 by Jack’s son, journalist Len Ackland. It combines family history with military, medical and VA records and later expert review.
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