Cortison Therapy in Nasal Polyposis

Abstract

Perioperative systemic corticosteroids are frequently utilized in patients with nasal polyps. Preoperative steroids reduce blood loss and facilitate sinus surgery. Postoperative steroids are commonly used to decrease early return of nasal polyps and protect against exacerbation of asthma. There is no evidence that long-term outcomes from sinus surgery are impacted with perioperative steroids. Most, but not all, nasal polyps respond to corticosteroids. Steroid therapy results in a temporary medical polypectomy in some responsive patients, but disease usually recurs with cessation of steroid therapy. Benefits of steroid therapy must be weighed against the risks. Patients with nasal polyps should demonstrate failure to resolve their symptoms with topical steroids and sometimes a short course of oral steroids before surgery is considered. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.