How much is nasal polyp surgery?

If you or someone you know is suffering from nasal polyps, you might be considering surgical treatment options. Nasal polyps are noncancerous growths that develop in the lining of the nasal passages or sinuses. They can cause various symptoms, including nasal congestion, runny nose, facial pain or pressure, and reduced sense of smell. When other treatments fail to provide relief, nasal polyp surgery may be recommended.

In this article, we will explore the different factors that influence the cost of nasal polyp surgery and provide answers to common questions related to the procedure.

How much does sinus surgery cost with or without insurance?

Sinus surgery can be expensive. Out-of-pocket costs can run into the hundreds of dollars for people with insurance and into the thousands of dollars for people without insurance. Your procedure’s details and location can affect your cost.

Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and many private insurance plans cover sinus surgery. Coverage usually depends on certain symptoms or a determination that sinus surgery is medically necessary.

Endoscopic sinus surgery costs

One 2021 study found that endoscopic sinus surgery ranges from about $3,600 to more than $10,500. The surgery was more cost-effective than continued medical therapy.

One reason for the variation in charges is that endoscopic sinus surgery may involve multiple procedures. This alters the duration of the surgery, potentially requiring different supplies. Longer surgeries often include more components and cost more. 

Another 2021 study compared the costs of endoscopic sinus surgery for people with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps to another treatment. The charges for an endoscopic sinus surgery with no complications were about $9,000.

Finally, a 2018 analysis of insurance claims from 2012 to 2016 estimated the cost of endoscopic sinus surgery in 2017-adjusted U.S. dollars and included balloon sinuplasty. The study found an average cost of $10,565 on the day of the procedure. That average figure increased to $13,772 when adding costs for the following 45 days. Those added expenses included pain medication, follow-up visits, and nasal irrigation products.

One Georgia surgical center offers an all-inclusive cash price for people without insurance for between $5,000 and $6,000, depending on the complexity of the sinus surgery.

Is sinus surgery worth the cost?

People who have not found relief from medical treatment for chronic sinusitis often resort to sinus surgery. If you are a candidate for sinus surgery, it’s possible you’ve already spent lots of money. You’ve probably tried oral medications, antibiotics, nasal sprays, nasal irrigation, allergy shots, and other treatments. And that doesn’t even include time away from work or school, transportation expenses, or parking fees during office visits. 

You’ve also probably spent a lot of time feeling miserable.

So, over the long term, sinus surgery may be an economical choice if you can reduce medical treatment costs and decrease misery.

Cost of nasal polyp surgery

The operation for nasal polyps through Operarme has everything necessary to carry out an intervention with the greatest possible safety and efficiency for the patient. We offer a fixed price that includes all the essential factors for proceeding.

As a result, here is an overview of all the elements included in the cost of endoscopic sinus surgery.

• Immediate, free consultation with the specialist.
• The package includes a full day’s stay in a single room with a spare bed, catering, and clothing service.
• We are booking and using the operating theater.
• We provide surgical materials, equipment, and instruments.
• The preoperative tests include blood tests, electrocardiograms, and chest x-rays, depending on the medical indications.
• Stay in the postoperative ward, with appropriate monitoring and medical treatment.
• The plan covers medical fees and assistants until medical discharge.
• Anesthesiologist fees.
• The insurance covers medical complications.
• Transfer service.

Endoscopic nasal polyp (NP) surgery is a treatment option for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Previous studies report NP surgery costs of $8000–13,000 and a risk of major complications of NP surgery of ~0.1–1%. Limited contemporary data for costs and complications associated with NP surgery in US clinical practice are available.

Previous cost estimates for NP surgery in the US have ranged from approximately $8000 to $13,000. However, because they were derived using data from no later than 2016, these estimates may not reflect current practice patterns. Previous studies in the UK, Japan, and Taiwan have reported that a minority of patients (approximately 0.5%) who received NP surgery experienced major complications, including a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, an orbital injury, or a major hemorrhage; such complications result in additional treatment costs. Another earlier study in the US that looked at insurance claims for patients who had endoscopic sinus surgery found that 1% had major complications (0.17% had a CSF leak, 0.07% had an orbital injury, and 0.76% had bleeding that needed a transfusion); however, this study was done from 2003 to 2007, so it might not show what is happening in hospitals today.

How long does nasal polyp surgery take?

The surgery lasts between 1 and 3 hours, but the time interval depends on the complexity of each patient. It is usually performed under general anesthesia, but local anesthesia, sedation, and patient analgesia can also be used, depending on the specialist’s criteria.

The nasal polyp operation does not involve external incisions, as a camera is inserted through the nostrils to guide the surgeon through the upper part of the nasal cavity, where polyps usually form.

As it is a minimally invasive procedure, the patient has the option of returning home the same day as the operation, although the decision always depends on the specialist’s assessment. 

For this reason, and because we at Operarme consider it necessary, the patient is provided with a day’s stay in the hospital, during which they will be under medical supervision and, if necessary, accompanied by a family member or friend. In the same way, the patient has a free transfer service to return home after the medical discharge. 

One of the specialist’s recommendations is to avoid driving after surgery.

Conclusion

Chronic sinusitis, persistent allergic rhinitis, or, less frequently, underlying conditions like cystic fibrosis can cause nasal cavity polyps. Nasal blockage, sinus infection, persistent nasal discharge (rhinorrhea), and long-term loss of smell (anosmia) are the most common current symptoms.

Nasal polyps can develop in any of the paranasal sinuses, but the space next to the middle turbinate in the middle meatus/osteomeatal complex is especially important.