Nasal Polyp Surgery

Nasal Polyp Surgery at Accent ENT

Nasal polyps can wreak havoc on your life in ways many don’t even realize. They may frequently be the result of a simple allergic reaction, but sufferers can find themselves with breathing problems and serious sleep issues, not to mention decreased senses of taste and smell. The first line of defense for nasal polyps is usually a corticosteroid spray, and for many this takes care of the problem. When it doesn’t, our Gainesville ENT surgeons remove the polyps.
What are Nasal Polyps?

Nasal polyps can be caused by some of the most common allergies in existence: pet dander, dust and pollen. When people susceptible to these allergies come in contact with the offending particles, the mucous membranes within the nasal passages can become inflamed. Other common causes of nasal polyps include asthma and chronic respiratory infections. In some cases, the cause of the polyps may not be evident. Whatever the cause, the result is small growths in the mucus membranes which can create a number of unpleasant symptoms in sufferers, including sinus congestion, headaches and increased frequency of sinus infection.

Nasal Polyp Surgery Overview

Although nasal polyp surgery doesn’t require incisions (unless your Florida ENT is also repairing other sinus issues during your procedure), it does require sedation. The procedure itself is outpatient, and generally performed in a hospital or surgical center. Since you’ll be sedated, you’ll need to arrange for someone to drive you home after your procedure, and to stay with you for at least the first night. You should also plan to wear a button-down shirt the day of your nasal polyp surgery, but make sure it isn’t your favorite shirt. You are likely to experience leakage from your nose in the first hours after you return home, so your best bet is to wear clothes you are willing to part with if they become stained. The procedure itself can be as brief as 30 minutes or as long as four hours. The duration depends primarily upon the number and size of your polyps. Your Gainesville ENT surgeon will begin by inserting an endoscope into your nostrils. An endoscope is a tiny tool with a magnifying camera attached, allowing the inside of your nose to be projected onto a screen, where your surgeon can see and work as precisely as possible, using very small tools to cut away the polyps. After the polyps have been completely removed, your surgeon will wash your sinuses with a saline solution to clear out any remaining particles and prevent infection. Your nostrils will then be packed with cotton. If your nasal passages are particularly small, or if you have had other procedures performed in tandem with your nasal polyp surgery, you may also have splints in your nostrils.

Recovering from Nasal Polyp Surgery

Your Florida ENT surgeon will schedule a follow-up visit to remove your packing, and another visit two weeks later to remove the splints if necessary. In the interim, you’ll need to adjust your habits and activities. For some – particularly patients who have had several large polyps removed – recovery can be fairly intense. You may be prescribed pain killers and instructed to remain on bed rest for up to five days, so be sure to plan accordingly. Once your packing is removed, you’ll also need to regularly wash out your sinuses with a saline solution to keep the area free of infection. You should remain upright as much as possible during recovery, and avoid leaning forward, which can place pressure on the surgical area and cause bloody discharge from your nasal passages.

Follow Your Gainesville ENT Surgeon’s Instructions

Your Florida ENT surgeon will give you further instructions regarding your recovery, and it’s vitally important that you follow these to the letter. This includes cautions against smoking, which can both extend your recovery and make it far more unpleasant. Additionally, be sure to keep your follow-up appointments. It’s important that your ENT be able to properly evaluate your recovery.

Prognosis

If your surgeon believes that your nasal polyps were caused by allergies, then you may be asked to undergo an allergy test once you have recovered from your surgery. This is to help you take the proper preventative measures. Unfortunately, when measures are not taken, nasal polyps can recur in as many as 70% of patients. With proper precautions, however, within two weeks at most you should be able to resume normal activity, and breathe much more easily while you do so.

If you require nasal polyp surgery, or if you suspect you may have nasal polyps, contact Gainesville’s Accent ENT to schedule an appointment today.