Do nasal polyps need surgical removal?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on March 30, 2025
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Nasal polyps are a relatively common otolaryngological condition, and the treatment methods are generally divided into two categories. The first category is surgical treatment, and the second is conservative medical treatment. Therefore, the choice of treatment mainly depends on the severity of the patient's condition, the patient's own wishes, and their overall health. If the condition is mild and the clinical symptoms are not obvious, medical treatment can be considered first to see the effects. If the condition is severe, the nasal polyps are extensive, and the clinical symptoms are clear, and if there is no effect after standardized conservative medical treatment, surgical removal should be considered.

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Written by Yao Jun
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
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Can nasal polyps sinusitis be cured completely?

Sinusitis refers to the inflammation of one or more groups of nasal sinuses, often accompanied by nasal polyps. Nasal polyps are lychee-like, semitransparent, grayish-white growths that are soft in texture and visible inside the nasal cavity. In such cases, it is advisable to consider functional endoscopic sinus surgery under general anesthesia and nasal endoscopy to remove the polyps and ethmoid sinuses. After the surgery, it is essential to perform regular cleaning, reduce inflammation, and provide antihistamine treatment, as sinusitis often leads to the recurrence of nasal polyps. Furthermore, allergens can also trigger the recurrence of nasal polyps. Therefore, after surgery, regular follow-ups, anti-inflammatory, and antihistamine treatments are necessary. Generally, with such management, nasal polyps and sinusitis can be effectively cured.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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How to completely treat nasal polyps?

A thorough treatment for nasal polyps is surgical treatment; this includes a combination of post-surgical medication and regular follow-up examinations for a comprehensive treatment. First, it is important to identify the cause of the nasal polyps, which often stem from chronic inflammation in the nasal cavity or sinuses leading to mucosal polypoid changes and consequently, nasal polyps. For instance, common conditions like allergic rhinitis can also lead to nasal polyps over time. After removing the polyps through surgery, it is necessary to treat allergies as well, because without managing the allergies, the polyps might recur quickly. Additionally, after the surgery, it's important to conduct a pathological examination to check if there is an increase in eosinophil count; with more than 27% increase, the chance of recurrence is quite high. According to some reports, eosinophilic type nasal polyps have a recurrence rate of up to 90%. Therefore, regular postoperative reviews and cleanings are essential to prevent recurrence and are key to achieving a cure.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can nasal polyps be treated with medication?

Nasal polyps can be considered for drug treatment, primarily depending on the severity of the nasal polyps. If the condition of the nasal polyps is not particularly severe, most patients can consider conservative drug treatment. Common treatments include nasal spray medications, and the nasal cavity can also be rinsed with saline. If the patient also has rhinitis or sinusitis, oral medication may need to be considered. However, during the treatment process, regular follow-up examinations are necessary to observe the treatment effects. If the effects of medication are not satisfactory and the condition of the nasal polyps is more severe, surgical removal may need to be considered. After surgery, regular follow-up examinations are still necessary to monitor the effects of the surgery.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Nasal polyps are located where?

Nasal polyps are benign neoplasms in the nasal area, forming a translucent, lychee-like shape with no distribution of nerves or blood vessels. They originate from two sources: one from the nasal cavity and the other from the nasal sinuses. Theoretically, any part of the nasal cavity and sinuses can develop nasal polyps or polyp-like changes. The most common nasal polyps primarily originate from the middle nasal meatus, while those from the sinuses mainly stem from the ethmoid or maxillary sinuses, which are the most common and prone areas. Clinically, the treatment for nasal polyps mainly involves removal via endoscopic surgery and the opening of the sinuses.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can nasal polyps be cured?

Nasal polyps are a relatively common disease and are benign neoplasms in the nasal cavity. Overall, the treatment results are quite good. In terms of treatment, there are mainly two categories: surgical treatment and conservative medical treatment. Surgical treatment is mainly suitable for cases where nasal polyps are extensive and widespread, and where conservative treatment has been ineffective. In such cases, surgery to remove the polyps is generally recommended. Currently, endoscopic sinus surgery is commonly performed to remove nasal polyps, and if accompanied by sinusitis, concomitant sinusotomy can also be performed. Overall, the surgical outcomes are quite definitive, and the procedure involves minimal trauma and offers a faster recovery. If the extent of nasal polyps is small and localized, without significant clinical symptoms, most cases can consider a combination of medical treatment and nasal irrigation. However, both medical and surgical treatments may have ineffective results or the possibility of disease recurrence. Therefore, after treatment, long-term regular check-ups are necessary to monitor for recurrence, and further treatment will be needed promptly if recurrence occurs.