Do nasal polyps definitely have to be removed?

Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 10, 2024
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Nasal polyps are benign glandular tissues that occur in the nasal cavity. The presence of nasal polyps can block the nasal passage, leading to secondary infections, and as nasal polyps gradually increase in size, they can damage the local tissue structure. Therefore, once nasal polyps appear, they are primarily removed through surgery, making surgical removal necessary. However, in the early stages of nasal polyps, when they have just developed and are still small, they can be treated with medications such as methylprednisolone or prednisone. These drugs are mainly corticosteroids and can cause the polyps to gradually shrink and disappear in a minority of patients, a process referred to as chemical resection through medication. Nonetheless, the chance of detecting nasal polyps in their early stages is very small, and they are often only discovered when they have grown large enough to obstruct the nasal passage and affect breathing, meaning that they typically require surgical removal after they are found.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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What should I do if nasal polyps are removed but grow back?

Nasal polyps are a common condition in otolaryngology and are benign neoplasms in the nasal cavity. After nasal polyp surgery, there is a possibility of recurrence, and the likelihood of recurrence is relatively high compared to other diseases. Currently, we surgically remove nasal polyps through functional endoscopic surgery, followed by regular post-operative outpatient follow-ups to clean the nasal cavity. Since then, the recurrence rate after this surgery has been relatively low. However, if the nasal polyps recur, we must perform surgery again to remove them, as enlarged nasal polyps can block the nasal cavity and damage the surrounding tissue structures, necessitating another surgical intervention, with no other special methods available.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Do you need to be hospitalized for nasal polyp surgery?

The current nasal polyp surgery requires a general anesthesia and endoscopic nasal polypectomy. Since the surgery is performed under general anesthesia, more thorough preparations are made for hospitalized patients. The surgery demands high standards, thus preoperative blood tests and related cardiopulmonary function tests are necessary, requiring hospitalization. Additionally, after the surgery, nasal packing is needed to monitor the patient's recovery and to clean the nasal cavities and sinuses. Therefore, hospitalization is needed for this type of treatment, which generally lasts from 5 to 7 days from admission to discharge.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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Is minimally invasive surgery for nasal polyps painful?

We often talk about the minimally invasive surgery for nasal polyps, which is the most common procedure of endoscopic nasal polyp removal that we use today. This type of surgery does not only remove the nasal polyps, but also the root of the polyps and even opens up the sinuses. This is crucial for eliminating the cause of the nasal polyps and is very important for preventing their recurrence. Although it is a minimally invasive surgery, it can still be quite painful. After the surgery, both nostrils need to be packed. If the packing material is absorbable, such as Nasopore, the discomfort might be less because after the surgery, one just needs to wait for the packing to gradually dissolve into a mucus-like substance and get expelled. However, if expandable sponges or even gauze strips are used, these materials need to be removed after several days. Removing these materials can cause significant pain for the patient. During the period of packing, the patient can also experience a lot of discomforts such as headaches, dry throat, discomfort in the eyes, tearing, and even some might feel foggy in their ears and uncomfortable while eating and drinking, along with other painful symptoms. Additionally, after the minimally invasive surgery for nasal polyps, regular follow-up cleanings are necessary. The purpose of these follow-up cleanings is to timely clear out any blood clots or secretions from the nasal cavity and sinuses, aiding the recovery of the mucous membranes in these areas and also preventing the short-term recurrence of the nasal polyps, which is a very important part of ensuring the effectiveness of the surgery. Thus, these procedures can induce a certain amount of fear and pain for the patients, but before performing these surgeries and examinations, doctors generally engage in thorough discussions and provide comfort to the patients, advising them not to be too nervous. The actual discomfort is temporary and will pass after enduring it for just a few days post-surgery.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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What will happen if nasal polyps are not operated on?

Nasal polyps are a common pathological change in otolaryngology, mainly caused by chronic inflammatory stimuli such as rhinitis and sinusitis, leading to changes in the nasal mucosa. Nasal polyps are an abnormal structural change. Once nasal polyps occur, emergency surgical treatment is recommended. If surgery is not performed, the polyps will continue to grow larger, altering some of the anatomical structures of the nasal cavity and occupying space, which can impair nasal function. This may lead to nasal congestion, a decrease in the sense of smell, and changes in the external nose, such as a "frog-like" nose; the nose becomes swollen and large, resembling a frog. Over time, due to poor nasal ventilation, this can cause headaches, a heavy head, and other uncomfortable symptoms, therefore urgent surgical treatment is advised.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Does massaging nasal polyps have any effect?

Nasal polyps cannot be effectively treated through massage, as they grow inside the nasal cavity, mainly around the middle nasal meatus, and may also be found in the olfactory area or the general nasal passages. In severe cases, they can spread throughout the entire nasal cavity and even into the sinuses. In terms of treatment, massage does not play a significant role, as it does not directly affect the nasal polyps themselves. Treatment primarily involves medication and surgical procedures. For cases where the nasal polyps are particularly numerous and symptoms are pronounced, surgery is generally recommended. For smaller polyps with less noticeable symptoms, nasal spray medications may be considered, but regular follow-up examinations are necessary to monitor changes.