gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: The goal of our clinical trial was to investigate the effect of diode laser polypectomy and subsequent topical corticosteroid application in recurrent nasal polyposis.

Patients and methods: Nineteen otherwise therapy-refractory nasal polyposis patients suffering from nasal obstruction and olfactory dysfunction underwent videoendoscopic diode laser polypectomy under topical anesthesia. After the first postoperative week, 250 µg beclomethasone dipropionate aerosol spray was self-administered into each nostril (1-0-1). Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated after 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and at regular 3-month intervals based on photodocumentation, rhinomanometry, and visual analog scales (VAS).

Results: After 6 and 12 weeks, subjective and objective data indicated a significant improvement of nasal obstruction and olfactory dysfunction. Laser surgery and topical beclomethasone dipropionate application were well tolerated. Throughout long-term follow-up (median 32 months), 21% of our patients developed a persisting disappearance of nasal polyps.

Conclusion: Minimally invasive endonasal diode laser polypectomy combined with topical high-dose corticosteroid application represents a symptom-oriented outpatient treatment option in therapy-refractory nasal polyposis.