Is it safe to have a second surgery for nasal polyps?

Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
Updated on April 09, 2025
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The surgery for nasal polyps is primarily performed under general anesthesia, involving the removal of the nasal polyps and functional endoscopic sinus surgery. All surgeries carry certain risks, thus secondary surgeries for nasal polyps also entail risks. Moreover, since the initial surgery alters the normal anatomical structure of the nasal polyps and their surroundings, the difficulty of the surgery increases, thereby slightly raising the risk of a secondary procedure. The third point is that the surgery is now performed under direct endoscopic vision. Although this type of surgery carries risks—and indeed, all surgeries do—the likelihood of these risks is relatively small, so there is no need for excessive worry.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Do small nasal polyps need surgery?

Nasal polyps are a relatively common nasal disease. In terms of treatment, if the nasal polyps are minimal, surgery may not be necessary initially. The first consideration can be conservative drug treatment. After timely medication, most patients may find their nasal polyps gradually shrink and might even disappear. However, regular follow-ups are required to monitor changes in the condition. If the nasal polyps do not improve with conservative drug treatment, surgical removal should be considered. Currently, endoscopic surgery is commonly used, which is a minimally invasive procedure with relatively mild damage, shorter recovery time, and generally good treatment outcomes. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician.)

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Can nasal polyps be seen with the naked eye?

Nasal polyps can be visible to the naked eye, but this is only in cases of more severe nasal polyp patients. In some severe cases, the polyps grow into and protrude from the nasal cavity, at which point a pale white, lychee-like polyp neoplasm can usually be seen in the nostril. For patients with nasal polyps, blockage of the nasal passages can cause symptoms such as nasal congestion, headaches, and runny nose. At this time, functional endoscopic sinus surgery can be used to remove the polyps from the patient's nasal cavity, thereby restoring normal ventilation function of the nasal passages, improving symptoms of sinus obstruction, and achieving a cure.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Nasal polyps and adenoids are what kind of disease?

Nasal polyps and adenoids are two different diseases, and they are common conditions in otolaryngology. Patients with nasal polyps usually experience growths on the surface of the nasal mucosa, which primarily cause symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, headaches, and sinus blockages. On the other hand, adenoid hypertrophy mainly occurs in infants and young children, with a high incidence in the 5-7 year age group. Patients with adenoid hypertrophy often experience symptoms like breath-holding, lack of oxygen, and sleep apnea during the night, which can be definitively diagnosed through sleep monitoring tests. Currently, the main treatment for patients with nasal polyps and adenoid hypertrophy involves surgical removal of the nasal polyp tissue and ablation of the adenoid tissue to restore normal physiological functions of the entire nasopharyngeal cavity.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Does nasal polyp hypertrophy require surgery?

The treatment methods for nasal polyps are mainly divided into two categories. The first category is surgical treatment, and the second category is conservative medical treatment. If the nasal polyps are relatively small and the clinical symptoms are not very obvious, conservative medical treatment should be considered first. Common treatments include nasal spray medications and saline nasal irrigation. If accompanied by rhinitis or sinusitis, oral medications may be considered. If the extent of the nasal polyps is large and the clinical symptoms are clear, and if the results from medication are not good, surgery may need to be considered. After surgery, regular follow-ups are necessary to observe the recovery.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Can nasal polyps be treated with laser?

Nasal polyps are benign neoplasms of the nasal cavity or sinus cavity. The current treatments for nasal polyps include medication and endoscopic surgical removal. Clinically, lasers like the CO2 laser are primarily suited for precise operations. Nasal polyps are generally quite large, so lasers are typically not used for their treatment. Clinically, a suction cutter is mainly used to remove nasal polyps. Previously, when less advanced and without suction cutters, lasers might have been attempted, but now lasers are basically no longer used for treatment because their indications do not align with those for nasal polyps.