Factors associated with recurrent nasal polyps: a tertiary care experience.

OBJECTIVE To assess the factors associated with recurrence of nasal polyps in operated patients by endoscopic surgery. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted on 192 patients operated for nasal polyps in a hospital set-up between 2001 and 2007. The median follow-up period was 24 months (range 12 months to 60 months). Ten variables were analyzed to study their association with polyp recurrence namely; age, gender, history of purulent nasal discharge, facial pain, anosmia, post nasal dripping (PND), headache, nasal allergy, asthma and computed tomography (C.T) staging. Analysis of recurrences was accomplished using independent sample t-test, chi-square and Fishers exact test. A probability value of p < 0.05 was selected as the level of significance. RESULTS During the study period, recurrences developed in 36 patients, with a rate of 19%. No association of recurrence with age, gender, purulent nasal discharge, facial pain, anosmia, post nasal dripping, headache, nasal allergy, and asthma were observed. The C.T staging was significantly higher among the group with recurrence as compared to the group without recurrence (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Patients presenting with extensive disease suggested by C.T scan staging are at higher risk for the development of recurrences after endonasal surgery for nasal polyps.