Nasal polyps are a fairly common condition, and many people don’t know they exist if they are small. They are benign growths, usually tear-dropped shaped, that line your nasal cavity or sinuses. If they begin to affect breathing or cause other issues, your doctor may recommend nasal polyp surgery.
Symptoms Of Nasal Polyps
Although these growths are benign, or non-cancerous, they can still cause some bothersome symptoms based on their size and if they form in clusters.
Symptoms include some of the following:
- Difficulty breathing
- Congestion
- Loss of smell or taste
- Nasal pressure
- Sinus infections or chronic sinusitis
- Cough
- Snoring
- Post nasal drip
- Facial pain or headaches
Many of these symptoms on their own can be due to other conditions, even the common cold, but multiple symptoms experienced together can point to nasal polyps.
If you are experiencing symptoms, it would be beneficial to visit Southern California Ear, Nose, & Throat for an evaluation to find out if nasal polyps are the cause.
Treatment For Nasal Polyps
Conservative treatments with steroids and antibiotics are utilized first if a diagnosis is made. If these treatments prove ineffective, surgery may be recommended.
The type of surgery depends on the location and size of the polyps. If the polyps are larger and near the opening of the nose, surgery can be performed in the office. Southern California Ear, Nose, & Throat will remove them using a microdebrider. They can also be removed using a grasper known as a nasal polypectomy.
If the polyps are located deeper in the nasal cavity or in the sinus area, surgery is conducted in a hospital or out-patient setting, and it is performed under general anesthesia. You should have someone with you to drive you home.
The surgery is performed entirely through the nose. No incisions need to be made. Most are performed endoscopically using a thin tube with a camera at the end. It is inserted into the nose and directs the surgeon to the location of the polyps for removal.
What You Can Expect After Surgery
After surgery:
- You may bleed from your nose for a few weeks
- Successful surgery removes polyps and reduces the symptoms
- You will begin to feel better in just a few days
- Give yourself a full week to recover
- Complication rate is lower than for general surgery
- Polyps can come back in some cases
Contact Southern California Ear, Nose, & Throat to schedule an evaluation if you are experiencing any symptoms of nasal polyps.