Most nasal polyp surgeries take between 30 minutes and three hours, depending on the type of procedure. A simple polypectomy, which removes polyps without extensive work on the sinuses, typically wraps up in about 30 minutes. A more involved procedure called functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), which opens the sinus passages and removes polyps from both sides of the nose, usually takes two to three hours.
Simple Polypectomy vs. Full Sinus Surgery
The time you’ll spend in the operating room depends largely on which procedure your surgeon recommends, and that comes down to where your polyps are and how extensive they’ve become.
A simple nasal polypectomy targets polyps that are accessible in the nasal passages without needing to restructure the sinuses. It’s a shorter, more straightforward operation, typically about 30 minutes from start to finish. This is common when polyps are limited in number and location.
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery is the more comprehensive option. The surgeon uses a thin camera inserted through the nostril to see inside the sinuses, then removes polyps while also widening the sinus drainage pathways. When both sides of the nose need work, which is common since polyps frequently grow on both sides, the procedure runs about two to three hours. If only one side is involved, expect something closer to the lower end of that range. FESS is the standard approach when polyps are recurring, widespread, or blocking sinus drainage enough to cause chronic infections.
What Happens Before and After the Procedure
The clock in the operating room doesn’t capture your full time at the surgical center. You’ll arrive well before your scheduled surgery for check-in, pre-operative preparation, and anesthesia setup. Plan on being at the facility for several hours beyond the surgery itself.
Both procedures are performed under either general or local anesthesia. General anesthesia, where you’re fully unconscious, is the more common choice for FESS and is standard for simple polypectomy as well. If your surgeon uses general anesthesia, you’ll need to stop eating and drinking after midnight the night before. Local anesthesia keeps you awake but numb; you may feel pressure during the procedure but not pain.
After surgery, the type of anesthesia determines how quickly you leave. With local anesthesia, you can head home right away. General anesthesia requires time in a recovery room while the sedation wears off, which typically adds one to two hours to your visit. Either way, nasal polyp surgery is an outpatient procedure, meaning you go home the same day.
Factors That Extend Operating Time
Several things can push a procedure toward the longer end of the range. The number and size of polyps matter: a nose packed with large polyps on both sides takes longer to clear than a few small growths. Revision surgery, meaning you’ve had polyps removed before and they’ve grown back, often takes more time because scar tissue from previous operations changes the anatomy and makes the surgeon’s work more precise and careful.
Additional steps can also add time. If the surgeon needs to correct a deviated septum during the same session, or if diseased tissue in the sinuses requires more extensive clearing, the procedure stretches accordingly. Your surgeon should give you a personalized time estimate based on your CT scan and the planned scope of work.
Recovery Timeline After Surgery
If nasal packing or splints are placed inside the nose during surgery, you’ll typically return to have them removed a few days later. This is a quick office visit, though it can be uncomfortable. Not all surgeons use packing; some use dissolvable materials instead.
Congestion, mild pain, and bloody drainage are normal for the first week or two. Most people take about a week off from work, though desk jobs may feel manageable sooner. Physical activity is usually restricted for two to three weeks to avoid raising blood pressure in the healing tissue. Full healing of the sinus lining takes several weeks, and you’ll likely have a series of follow-up visits where the surgeon cleans out the nasal passages to prevent scar tissue from forming and to monitor for regrowth.
Polyps do have a tendency to come back over time, especially in people with underlying conditions like asthma or aspirin sensitivity. Post-surgical treatment with nasal steroid sprays or other medications is a key part of keeping them from returning quickly.