Do nasal polyps always require surgery?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on April 04, 2025
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Nasal polyps are a relatively common ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) disease, with various clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and reduced sense of smell. Regarding treatment, surgery is not always necessary. Nasopharyngoscopy and sinus CT scans may be required to assess the specific extent and severity of the condition. If the nasal polyps are limited and the clinical symptoms are mild, conservative treatment with medication is recommended rather than surgical treatment. However, if there are multiple polyps and severe clinical symptoms, and the results from standardized conservative treatment with medication are not satisfactory, then surgical treatment should be considered.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can nasal polyps be cured?

Nasal polyps are a common condition, but whether they can be completely cured varies from person to person. Generally, treatment is divided into two main categories: conservative treatment and surgical treatment. If the nasal polyps are few and do not cause significant clinical symptoms, most patients will consider conservative treatment, which includes the use of nasal sprays, nasal irrigation, and oral medication. Generally speaking, most patients can achieve effective control and relief. However, if conservative treatment is ineffective and the nasal polyps gradually increase or if the polyps are originally extensive, medical treatment might not be effective, which may necessitate surgical removal. Currently, the main procedure performed is endoscopic sinus surgery for nasal polyp removal, which is considered minimally invasive. However, neither medical treatment nor surgery can guarantee complete and permanent cure without recurrence, thus long-term follow-up is required.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Is the nasal polyps spray effective?

Some patients find nasal polyps effectively treated with sprays, and this largely depends on the extent of the specific lesion. If the nasal polyps are relatively mild, localized, and the clinical symptoms are not particularly severe, most patients could consider using conservative treatments first to see the results. The common conservative treatment is nasal sprays, generally corticosteroid sprays. Their main function is to reduce nasal polyps and alleviate inflammatory responses. Overall, many patients find effective results following standardized medication treatment. If the conservative medication treatment is ineffective and the nasal polyps are extensive, surgery might be considered as a necessity. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Rui
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How come there is bleeding from nasal polyps?

Patients with nasal polyps experiencing nosebleeds can have many causes. It might be due to hemorrhagic polyps, erosion of the nasal mucosa, dry nasal cavities, or rupture of small blood vessels. Some patients may have sinusitis accompanying their nasal polyps, with significant inflammatory responses that could also lead to nosebleeds. However, it's necessary to check for other conditions, such as nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, malignant tumors in the nasal cavity or sinuses, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, or blood disorders like coagulation dysfunction and thrombocytopenia. It is advisable to visit an ENT specialist and undergo nasopharyngoscopy, sinus CT scans, blood tests, and coagulation function tests to make an accurate diagnosis.

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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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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.