How long does nasal polyp surgery take?

Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on January 23, 2025
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The duration of hospitalization for nasal polyp surgery is approximately one week, as the surgery requires general anesthesia. Patients need to undergo endoscopic nasal polyp removal and cleaning of the nasal and sinus mucosa. Prior to surgery, routine examinations such as urine and blood tests, chest X-rays, electrocardiograms, and hepatitis B tests are required, along with consultations from relevant departments like respiratory medicine, internal medicine, and anesthesiology to fully assess the patient's vital status. After the surgery, patients need to use an expandable sponge to fill the nasal cavity to prevent local bleeding, and postoperative antibiotics are necessary to avoid local infections. If the patient does not have a fever or local bleeding, they can be discharged a week post-surgery. During the treatment period, it is recommended to drink more water and rest adequately.

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

Nasal polyps are a relatively common ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) disease. For treatment, some patients need to consider surgery. If surgery is planned, hospitalization is required. After hospitalization, thorough pre-surgical preparations are needed, such as routine blood tests, coagulation functions, and biochemical examinations, as well as sinus CT and nasopharyngoscopy to assess the severity of the nasal polyps. Post-surgery observation is also necessary. Generally, it is required to observe for 2 to 3 days to monitor the recovery after surgery. Discharge from the hospital is only possible if specific discharge criteria are met. After discharge, patients need to return to the hospital for regular follow-ups to observe the outcomes.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What will happen if nasal polyps are not treated?

The consequences of untreated nasal polyps vary among individuals. For some, the effects may be relatively severe, while for others it may not be very noticeable. It primarily depends on the size of the nasal polyps themselves. If the polyps are small and do not cause significant clinical symptoms, even without prompt treatment, their slow growth may lead to no significant symptoms. However, if there are many polyps and they grow rapidly, it can easily lead to nasal congestion, a runny nose, and reduced sense of smell. Some patients may also develop sinusitis due to poor ventilation and drainage in the nasal cavity. In severe cases where there are excessive amounts of nasal polyps, it can even affect the development of the nasal structure, leading to conditions like a crooked nose or saddle nose.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can nasal polyps heal by themselves?

There is a possibility of spontaneous healing for nasal polyps, but this possibility is relatively low. For cases with fewer polyps, conservative treatment with medication is generally recommended, commonly involving spray medications, along with saline nasal irrigation. However, it is necessary to regularly re-examine and observe the treatment results. If there are many polyps and the results of conservative treatment are not satisfactory, then surgical removal may be required. Currently, the common practice is to remove nasal polyps via endoscopic surgery, which is a minimally invasive procedure with generally good overall results, less damage, and shorter recovery time. However, regular follow-up is required as some patients may experience recurrence after the surgery.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Does nasal polyps require a biopsy?

Nasal polyps are benign space-occupying lesions in our nasal cavity and sinus cavity. They primarily appear as a pineapple peel-like or half a lychee-like neoplasm. They lack blood vessels and nerves, so nasal polyps generally do not undergo biopsy unless there is suspicion of malignant transformation, in which case a biopsy is performed. Typically, nasal polyps are treated surgically by removing them during surgery, then the excised tissue is sent for pathological examination to determine if the polyps are benign or malignant. Therefore, generally speaking, nasal polyps do not undergo biopsy.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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The causes of nasal polyps formation

Nasal polyps are a relatively common ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) disorder, with various causes. Common causes include genetic factors and may also be due to chronic allergic rhinitis or sinusitis. Some patients develop nasal polyps because of frequent exposure to dust or other chemical substances. There are significant individual differences in the specific causes of the disease. After the onset of the disease, it is necessary to visit an ENT specialist. Procedures like a nasal endoscopy or a sinus CT scan can be performed to assess the severity of the condition, which will assist in determining targeted treatments. During the treatment process, regular check-ups are needed to observe the recovery progress of the condition.