Nasal Polyp Removal

Overview

Nasal polyp removal (polypectomy, usually as part of endoscopic sinus surgery) treats nasal polyps — soft, painless, non-cancerous swellings of the lining of the nose and sinuses. Polyps develop from long-standing inflammation and, when large or numerous, can block the nose, dull or remove the sense of smell, and cause recurrent sinus infections and facial pressure.

Surgery removes the polyps and opens the blocked sinus drainage pathways using a thin endoscope and fine instruments passed through the nostrils, with no external cuts. Because polyps arise from underlying inflammation, surgery is usually combined with ongoing medical treatment to control the inflammation and reduce the chance of recurrence.

This page is an educational overview only. It is not medical advice, and no outcome can be guaranteed. A specialist decides whether polyp surgery is appropriate for you.

Who May Need This

Polyp removal may be considered for people with nasal polyps causing persistent symptoms — blocked nose, reduced or absent sense of smell, nasal discharge, facial pressure, or recurrent sinus infections — that have not responded adequately to medical treatment. Polyps are often associated with chronic sinusitis, allergy, asthma, or aspirin sensitivity.

It may also be needed to confirm the diagnosis when a growth is unusual or one-sided, since any suspicious lesion must be examined. Eligibility is determined by an ENT specialist after endoscopy and imaging, and surgery is generally reserved for polyps not controlled by medication.

When It May Be Recommended

A specialist may recommend surgery when polyps significantly block the nose or affect smell and quality of life despite steroid nasal sprays and other medical treatment, when infections keep recurring, or when a growth needs to be examined. Surgery also improves how well nasal sprays and rinses reach the lining afterwards.

The decision weighs the likely improvement against the small risks of surgery and the fact that polyps can recur. Medical treatment is usually tried first. The final recommendation depends on individual evaluation.

Diagnosis and Evaluation

Evaluation includes a history of nasal blockage, smell loss, allergy, and asthma, and a nasal endoscopy to see the polyps and their extent. A CT scan of the sinuses maps the disease and the anatomy, which is important for planning safe surgery near the eye and skull base.

Allergy testing and assessment of asthma or aspirin sensitivity may be arranged, since controlling these helps long-term outcomes. Removed tissue is sent for examination. General health, bleeding tendency, and medications are reviewed, and a second opinion may be valuable, especially for one-sided or unusual polyps.

Treatment Options

Treatment usually begins with medical management — steroid nasal sprays or drops, saline rinses, a short course of steroid tablets for larger polyps, and treatment of allergy, infection, and asthma. For some people with severe recurrent polyps, newer biologic medications may be an option.

When medical treatment does not control the polyps, endoscopic sinus surgery with polyp removal is the main surgical option. Surgery and ongoing medical treatment work together — surgery clears the polyps and opens the sinuses, and medication helps keep inflammation and recurrence in check.

How It Is Performed

Surgery is performed under general anaesthesia. Using a thin endoscope passed through the nostril, the surgeon removes the polyps with fine instruments such as a microdebrider and opens the blocked sinus drainage pathways (functional endoscopic sinus surgery). There are no external incisions.

The extent depends on how widespread the polyps and sinus disease are. Light packing or dissolvable material may be placed to control bleeding and support healing. The operation commonly takes one to two hours, and most people go home the same day or after a short stay.

Preparation

Preparation includes completing pre-operative checks and imaging, reviewing medications, and stopping blood thinners such as aspirin or ibuprofen only if your surgeon advises. A course of steroids is sometimes given beforehand to shrink polyps and reduce bleeding. You must follow fasting instructions before anaesthesia.

Arrange for someone to take you home. If travelling abroad, bring copies of your imaging and records, and plan for the recommended recovery period before flying, since air travel is usually avoided for a short time after nasal surgery.

Benefits and Expected Goals

The goals of polyp removal are to clear the nasal airway, improve breathing and often the sense of smell, reduce recurrent infections and facial pressure, and allow topical treatments to reach the lining more effectively. Many appropriately selected patients notice clearer breathing and improved symptoms after healing.

Benefits vary by individual and by the underlying cause. Because surgery does not cure the inflammation that produces polyps, lasting benefit depends on continuing medical treatment, and polyps may recur. Your surgeon can discuss realistic goals for your situation.

Risks and Possible Complications

Endoscopic polyp surgery is generally safe, but because the sinuses lie close to the eye and brain, there are important risks, which are uncommon in experienced hands.

• Bleeding, occasionally needing packing or further treatment
• Infection
• Recurrence of polyps
• Rarely, injury near the eye causing vision problems or double vision
• Rarely, a leak of fluid from around the brain (CSF leak) needing repair
• Temporary or, rarely, persistent change in the sense of smell
• Risks related to general anaesthesia

Your surgeon will explain the risks specific to your anatomy and disease and how any complication would be managed. Report vision changes, heavy bleeding, or persistent clear nasal drainage urgently.

Recovery, Follow-up & Aftercare

Recovery varies by patient. The nose is usually blocked with swelling and crusting for one to two weeks, and saline rinses are important to clear crusts and support healing. Most people return to light activities within a few days and work within one to two weeks, avoiding nose-blowing, heavy lifting, and strenuous exercise as advised.

Follow-up often includes endoscopic cleaning of the nose and starting or resuming steroid nasal sprays or rinses to control inflammation and reduce recurrence. Continuing allergy and asthma treatment is important. If treated abroad, arrange ongoing medical treatment and follow-up with your ENT doctor at home before returning.

Medical Tourism Planning

If you are considering polyp surgery abroad, choose a JCI- or ISO-accredited hospital with sinus (rhinology) expertise and image-guidance technology for complex cases. Confirm the surgeon's experience with endoscopic sinus surgery and request a written plan and cost estimate before travelling.

Plan for the in-country recovery your team recommends before flying, and, importantly, arrange ongoing medical treatment and follow-up at home, since long-term control of inflammation is key to preventing recurrence. Consider medical travel insurance.

Estimated Cost Factors

The cost of polyp removal depends on the country and hospital, surgeon and anaesthetist fees, the extent of sinus disease, whether image guidance is used, length of stay, pathology charges, and pre- and post-operative medications. More extensive polyp disease generally means more complex surgery.

Many international destinations offer these procedures at a fraction of typical prices in higher-cost countries, but figures vary by case. Online prices are only estimates — always request a personalized written quote for your specific situation before deciding.

Choosing a Hospital or Specialist

Look for a hospital with recognised accreditation and a dedicated ENT department with rhinology expertise, ideally with endoscopic and image-guidance facilities. Confirm the surgeon's experience with endoscopic sinus surgery and management of recurrent polyps.

Ask about how post-operative cleaning and medical treatment are managed, international patient services, and how follow-up would continue after you return home. Transparent written cost and treatment plans are signs of a quality programme.

Alternatives

Alternatives to surgery include ongoing medical treatment — steroid nasal sprays or drops, saline rinses, short courses of steroid tablets, and treatment of allergy, infection, and asthma. For selected people with severe, recurrent polyps, biologic medications may reduce polyp size and symptoms without repeat surgery.

Often the best approach combines surgery with medical treatment. Each option has different benefits, risks, and durability, so discuss them with your ENT specialist to find the plan that fits your disease and health.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

• Have we tried enough medical treatment before considering surgery?
• How extensive is my sinus disease, and how much surgery is needed?
• What are the specific risks in my case, including to the eye and skull base?
• How likely are my polyps to recur, and what will reduce that risk?
• What ongoing medication and follow-up will I need afterwards?
• How long should I stay in-country, and when is it safe to fly?
• What is included in the written cost estimate?