Can nasal polyps be treated without surgery?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on January 23, 2025
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A portion of patients with nasal polyps may not require surgery. The decision to operate on nasal polyps primarily depends on the severity of the condition and the overall health of the patient. If the nasal polyps are particularly localized and the patient does not exhibit significant symptoms such as nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, reduced sense of smell, headaches, or dizziness, conservative treatment or regular check-ups may be considered. Conservative treatment involves the use of nasal sprays and regular examinations with a nasopharyngoscope to monitor the growth of the polyps. However, if the nasal polyps are extensive and accompanied by clinical symptoms, and conservative treatment proves ineffective, surgery may need to be considered. Currently, endoscopic surgery is commonly performed and is generally very effective with minimal trauma.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What should I do if nasal polyps cause nosebleeds?

Patients with nasal polyps who experience nosebleeds should visit an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) department to identify the specific cause of the bleeding. Some patients have bleeding caused by nasal polyps, while others may bleed due to erosion of the nasal mucosa or rupture of small blood vessels. A small number of patients might have bleeding due to tumorous lesions. Therefore, after seeing an ENT specialist, it is necessary to undergo a nasal endoscopy, complete blood count, and coagulation function tests to clarify the specific cause of the condition. Some patients might choose conservative medical treatment, some may require nasal packing to stop the bleeding, and others, if conservative treatment is ineffective, may need to consider surgical treatment.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What are the symptoms of nasal polyps?

Nasal polyps are a fairly common otolaryngological condition with a relatively high incidence clinically. There is significant individual variation in clinical symptoms. Some patients have few nasal polyps and might not show obvious clinical symptoms; these are often discovered only during a physical examination or a nasopharyngoscopy. Other patients may experience nasal congestion, a runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headaches, and dizziness. In cases where the polyps are particularly numerous and have been present for a long time, they may even cause deformities of the nose, such as a "frog nose" or "saddle nose." In such cases, timely surgical treatment should be considered, and regular follow-up inspections are needed to monitor for any recurrence.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Nasal polyps bleeding is a symptom.

Nasal polyps accompanied by bleeding can have various causes. It might be due to hemorrhagic polyps, bleeding from the nasal mucosa, rupture of small blood vessels due to dry nasal cavities, or potentially sinusitis associated with the nasal polyps causing the bleeding. A small number of patients may have blood disorders such as coagulation dysfunction or thrombocytopenia. In such cases, it is necessary to visit an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialist for a nasopharyngoscope examination, complete blood count, and coagulation function tests to determine the specific causes of the condition, and then to proceed with targeted treatment. Surgery might be considered for some patients.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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How is nasal polyps treated?

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 should I do if nasal polyps keep recurring?

Nasal polyps are a relatively common ENT disorder, and some patients may experience recurrent episodes. This situation is mainly seen in patients with nasal polyps who have an increase in eosinophils or those with accompanying allergic rhinitis. The likelihood of recurrence varies individually. After a recurrence, it is necessary to visit an otolaryngologist. A nasal endoscopy or a sinus CT scan can be done to assess the severity of the recurrence. Some patients may opt for conservative medical treatment, commonly using nasal spray medications. Additionally, rinsing the nasal cavity with saline solution can be helpful. If the nasal polyps recur severely and conservative treatment is ineffective, surgical removal may be necessary. (Please use medication under the guidance of a physician.)