Surgery for Nasal Polyps? Don't worry, let's talk about it!

Do you often have sinus problems? Are you tired of having a stuffy nose, difficulty breathing, and sometimes losing your sense of smell? One reason for these problems could be small fleshy growths that grow in or around your sinuses. We medically call these 'nasal polyps '.

These are small lumps that are shaped like a teardrop. But don't worry, they are not cancer. But they can cause a lot of trouble for your nose and breathing. Some people have them so frequently that they have to undergo surgery again and again. So today, let's talk about these lumps in the nose, the surgery that can be done if they can't be reduced with medication, and what happens after the surgery.

Why do these nose boils form? What are their effects?

The main cause of nasal polyps is chronic inflammation in the nasal and sinus cavities. There are several factors that can cause this inflammation.

• Allergies : If you have allergies to things like dust and pollen (like Hay Fever), your nose may be constantly swollen.
• Asthma: This condition is also common in people with asthma.
• Immune system problems: Some autoimmune conditions can also cause these types of tumors to form.

The main problems caused by these tumors are:

• Loss of smell : This is the first big change that many people notice. They lose the ability to smell things like food or flowers.
• Nasal congestion and mucus: Your nose feels constantly blocked. This can be caused by a build-up of thick mucus that runs down your throat (postnasal drip).
• Frequent sinus infections: When these tumors block the sinus cavities and mucus cannot drain, bacteria can grow in them and cause frequent infections.

What treatments are done before surgery?

A doctor will never suddenly tell you to have an operation. They will first try to shrink or eliminate these tumors with medications.

These are the treatments usually given:

• Saline rinses: Rinsing the inside of the nose with salt water removes mucus, reduces congestion, and clears the nose.
• Steroid nasal sprays: These are medications that are sprayed into the nose. They reduce swelling inside the nose and help the cysts shrink.
• Steroid pills: If the cyst is large or not controlled by the spray, your doctor may prescribe steroid pills to take for a short period of time.
• Biologic drugs: These are slightly more advanced, injectable medications that directly target the cells that cause inflammation, preventing tumors from forming and growing.

Many people find relief from these treatments. But sometimes these tumors are stubborn. They don't go away with medication. That's when the doctor considers surgery.

When is surgery necessary and what can be expected from it?

If the tumors are large enough to be controlled with medication, have become so large that they interfere with breathing, or are at a level that could cause serious complications, the doctor will recommend surgery.

Before surgery, a CT scan of your sinuses will be performed. This will allow the doctor to get a clear picture of how many cysts you have, how big they are, where they are located, and how the bones in your sinuses are arranged.

Serious conditions that can be prevented by surgery

If these tumors are left untreated, they can rarely cause serious problems. For example, sinus infections can become complicated and lead to bone loss, abscesses can form around the eyes or near the brain, and sometimes even more serious conditions like meningitis, an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Therefore, it is important to have surgery if necessary.

How the surgery is performed

This surgery is usually done under general anesthesia, so you won't feel anything.

The surgeon inserts a tiny camera-equipped tube called an endoscope into the nose. The images from this camera are viewed on a monitor, and special instruments are used to remove the cysts from inside the nose without making any incisions. Depending on the size and location of the cysts, the surgery can take 30 minutes or more.

Things to consider after surgery

Your doctor will advise you to avoid these things to reduce bleeding in the first few days after surgery.

• Avoid scratching your nose forcefully.
• Avoid lifting heavy weights.
• Avoid bending your head below waist level.

It is normal to have a little nosebleed after surgery. However, if the bleeding is very heavy , call your doctor immediately. If necessary, go to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) .

Will tumors grow back after surgery?

This is a question that many people ask. The truth is, yes, there is no permanent cure for these nasal polyps. Even if the surgery is successful, there is a high chance that they will recur. This is because surgery only removes the polyps, not the inflammation that caused them to form.

Therefore, to achieve good results after surgery, it is essential to follow the doctor's instructions exactly.

After the surgery, the doctor will prescribe medication for you to continue using.

• Rinse your nose with saline water daily.
• Continued use of a steroid nasal spray.
• If you have allergies, get them treated.
• If necessary, use biologic drugs to prevent tumors from recurring.

If these things are done correctly, the need for further surgery can be avoided or greatly delayed.

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