Nasal Polyposis and Sinus Surgery Outcomes
Summary
Nasal polyposis is a chronic inflammatory condition characterised by the growth of multiple benign mucosal protrusions within the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. It commonly presents with nasal obstruction, hyposmia or anosmia, facial pressure and rhinorrhoea, and is frequently associated with asthma, aspirin sensitivity and allergic rhinitis. The management paradigm combines topical and systemic corticosteroids, biologic agents targeting type 2 inflammation and surgical intervention for refractory cases. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) aims to restore ventilation and mucociliary clearance by opening sinus ostia, debulking polyps and correcting anatomical obstructions. Surgical outcomes are measured by symptom relief, endoscopic appearance and quality-of-life indices, yet recurrence rates remain substantial, ranging from 10 % to over 30 % at mid-term follow-up. Risk factors for recurrence include severe eosinophilic inflammation, comorbid asthma, anatomical variants and incomplete sinus ventilation. Advances in image-guided navigation, drug-eluting implants and personalised postoperative regimens have begun to improve long-term control. Global efforts now focus on stratifying patients by inflammatory phenotype, refining surgical techniques and integrating novel biologics to reduce recurrence and optimise functional outcomes.
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Nasal Polyposis and Sinus Surgery Outcomes publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in nasal polyposis and sinus surgery outcomes across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Nasal polyposis: Chronic inflammatory condition with multiple benign mucosal protrusions in nasal passages and sinuses.
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS): Minimally invasive surgical technique using nasal endoscopes to restore sinus drainage and remove polyps.
Concha bullosa: Pneumatisation of the middle turbinate that can narrow sinus drainage pathways.
Deviated nasal septum: Displacement of the nasal septum from the midline, potentially obstructing airflow and sinus ostia.
Adenoid hypertrophy: Enlargement of pharyngeal tonsil tissue in the nasopharynx, which can contribute to nasal obstruction.
Recurrence: Return of polyps following initial surgery, often linked to persistent inflammation or anatomical factors.
References
- Ethmoidal Polyposis, Adenoid Hypertrophy and Tympanic Membrane Perforation—A Case Report. International Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery (2024).
- Nasal polypectomy and endoscopic sinus surgery for the management of ethmoidal polyp. Bangladesh Journal of Otorhinolaryngology (2012).
- Study on anatomical variations of nose and paranasal sinuses in patients with sinonasal polyposis. International Journal of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (2024).
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