How is nasal polyps treated?

Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
Updated on September 06, 2024
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Nasal polyps are a common clinical condition, prevalent in the nasal and sinus cavities as benign space-occupying lesions. Clinically, these polyps appear as translucent, lychee-like neoplasms. The primary clinical treatment for nasal polyps is surgical, typically performed with an endoscope to remove the polyps, mainly using a powered system. After nasal polyp surgery, the treatment is not completely finished; regular outpatient follow-ups are necessary to infiltrate the nasal and sinus cavities and remove some of the swollen mucosal tissue, thus preventing the recurrence of nasal polyps.

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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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Otolaryngology
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How is anesthesia administered for nasal polyps?

Nasal polyps are a relatively common ENT disorder, and if there are numerous polyps with clear clinical symptoms and conservative drug treatment is ineffective, surgery should be considered. Currently, the primary procedure is endoscopic nasal polyp removal, which is a commonly used minimally invasive surgery. Generally, the level of pain experienced by patients is not particularly significant. Therefore, in terms of anesthesia, it may be suitable to consider either general anesthesia or local anesthesia. If the nasal polyps are not particularly severe and the patient has a good tolerance, local anesthesia can be considered. However, if the condition is more severe and symptoms are clearly pronounced, it is generally advised that general anesthesia might be a better option.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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How to deal with nasal polyps?

Nasal polyps are a relatively common otolaryngological condition. Clinically, the first step is to assess the extent of the nasal polyps. If the polyps are few and there are no obvious clinical symptoms, medical treatment can be considered, and regular re-examinations with a nasopharyngoscope are needed to monitor the recovery. If there are numerous polyps and the response to standardized medication is poor, surgical removal might be necessary. Currently, endoscopic nasal polyp removal surgery is commonly used. Regular postoperative check-ups are also required to observe the recovery. Generally, it is advisable to rinse the nasal cavity with saline solution to aid in postoperative recovery. (The use of medication should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can nasal polyps be treated conservatively?

Nasal polyps are a relatively common otolaryngologic condition. Some patients may consider conservative treatment, particularly when the severity of the nasal polyps is mild. If, after standard conservative medication treatment, the severity of the nasal polyps does not gradually improve but instead worsens, or if the initial severity of the nasal polyps is high, conservative medication treatment may not be effective. In such cases, surgical treatment should be considered. Currently, the most common procedure is endoscopic nasal polyp removal surgery, which is a minimally invasive surgery. Overall, the surgery tends to have good outcomes and relatively minor damage. However, it requires regular check-ups to monitor the effectiveness of the surgery.

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Is nasal polyp surgery under general anesthesia dangerous?

Nasal polyps are currently primarily treated by two methods: medication and surgery. If there are many polyps, surgery is usually considered necessary. There are two types of anesthesia used in surgery: local anesthesia and general anesthesia. Generally speaking, general anesthesia, administered through endotracheal intubation or a laryngeal mask, is relatively safe and does not significantly affect the surgery or the patient themselves. However, there are certain risks involved, such as anesthesia accidents or slow metabolism of anesthetic drugs, which could trigger other or existing underlying diseases, further increasing the risk. Additionally, there could be damage to the nasal cavity or structures around the nose, such as periorbital ecchymosis, nasal bleeding, severe bleeding leading to shock, and some might experience changes in vision or visual field, or effects on the olfactory nerves.