Nasal Polyp Removal: Preventing Recurrence After Surgery

Nasal polyps are small growths that form in the lining of your nose or sinuses. While most are non-cancerous, they’re not entirely harmless. When left untreated, nasal polyps can grow large enough to block your nasal passage, making it hard for you to breathe or smell easily and triggering frequent sinus infections. 

Surgery is one of the most effective ways to remove nasal polyps, but the polyps sometimes regrow. You can reduce the chances of this happening to you by choosing Dr. Mani Zadeh, our experienced board-certified ear, nose, and throat specialist, to perform the procedure in Los Angeles, California.

In addition to your surgeon’s skills, preventing nasal polyps from recurring depends on how carefully you follow your aftercare instructions. Dr.Zadeh explains why these regrowths sometimes occur and how to avoid them.

What are nasal polyps?

Nasal polyps are soft, painless, non-cancerous growths that develop on the lining of your nasal passages or sinuses due to chronic inflammation. They can be small or large and can make breathing difficult. 

In severe cases, nasal polyps can also cause loss of sense of smell, frequent sinus infections, and even sleep apnea. Conditions like allergies, asthma, recurrent sinus infections, and certain immune disorders can trigger nasal polyps.

While medications like corticosteroids can reduce the size of some polyps, this solution is often only temporary, making surgery necessary in many cases.

What to expect from the surgery 

Dr. Zadeh’s nasal polyp removal surgery is a minimal procedure. He uses an endoscope to get a clear view of your nasal passage and remove the polyps and other obstructions.

There are many benefits to getting nasal polyp removal surgery. The most notable is your breathing. You’ll breathe easier and experience a better sense of smell, fewer sinus infections, and less nasal congestion and facial pressure. 

While the surgery effectively removes polyps that have already formed, it doesn’t treat the underlying cause, which is why it’s not uncommon for polyps to reform.  Dr. Zadeh gets ahead of this problem by providing detailed post-surgery aftercare tips to help prevent the polyps from recurring.

What causes nasal polyps to recur?

The primary trigger of nasal polyps is inflammation and inflammatory conditions like allergies and asthma. If your nasal passages are consistently inflamed, they continue to stimulate the growth of new polyps.

For instance, people with asthma are often more likely to have nasal polyps recur than people without the condition, as asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder. In addition, some people are genetically predisposed to developing nasal polyps, making recurrence more likely. 

Tips to prevent recurrence post-surgery

It is essential to keep regular follow-up appointments with Dr. Zadeh after your procedure. During these visits, he can detect if any new polyps are forming early enough and treat them more conservatively.

Nasal corticosteroids and other anti-inflammatory medications can help control inflammation and prevent polyps from forming. Dr. Zadeh may prescribe antihistamines or leukotriene inhibitors to manage allergies and asthma. 

At home, rinse your nose regularly with saline solutions to clear out mucus and irritants that can trigger inflammation. A humidifier can keep your nasal passage moist and relieve irritation and inflammation.

Nasal polyps can be pesky, and having them recur after surgery is frustrating. However, you can figure out how to prevent them from recurring with Dr. Zadeh’s guidance. If you’re struggling with nasal polyps, book an appointment with him online or call 310-286-0123 today.