Nasal polyps are soft, painless, noncancerous growths that form in the lining of the nose or sinuses and can make it hard to breathe through your nose. Many people seek care because polyps are linked to ongoing nasal congestion, a runny nose or drainage, facial pressure and a decreased sense of smell.
Many patients try medications first, but symptoms may persist. In these cases, doctors may recommend removing obstructing polyps to help restore better breathing. This can be done in our office using an endoscopic shaver.
How It Works
During the procedure, your clinician uses a small camera (nasal endoscope) to gently visualize the polyps. The endoscopic shaver then removes the soft polyp tissue while aiming to preserve healthy structures, helping many patients experience noticeable improvement in breathing. Studies report significant symptom reductions within weeks to months.
When It Helps
Nasal polyp removal with an endoscopic shaver may be helpful for patients who:
- Have nasal polyps confirmed on exam or nasal endoscopy
- Have symptoms that persist despite medical therapy
- Prefer a faster recovery and a less invasive alternative to full operating‑room sinus surgery, while still aiming for relief from breathing difficulties.
- Experience symptoms that significantly affect daily life, including difficulty breathing through the nose, ongoing pressure or repeated sinus infections.
- Have recurrent polyps after previous sinus surgery
A simple nasal endoscopy can give clear answers about whether you’re a good candidate for in-office polyp removal. We’re here to listen, explain your options and help you take the next step toward easier breathing.
PolypVac
Please note: The Polypvac device is no longer available from the manufacturer, however, California Sinus Centers has invested in an endoscopic shaver to perform in-office nasal polyp removal for carefully selected patients. Please call 650-399-4630 for more information.
The Polyp Vac has been approved for use in the US for in-office polyp treatment.
It is with great excitement that we can announce the FDA’s approval of the newest tool in the fight against sinus disease here in the US: the PolypVac.
The PolypVac was developed by doctors from Cal Sinus and other institutions in conjunction with Redwood City based Laurimed, LLC. The purpose of its development was to address the need for a tool that can remove certain types of sinus polyps in an office environment. The tool may allow a skilled Rhinologist to address a patient’s polyps in a properly equipped office exam room instead of an ambulatory surgery center. Having the polypvac in their toolbag may allow a surgeon to bring treatment to the patient. Not only may this potentially save patients the time they might have spent traveling to an ambulatory surgery center, it also saves them the associated medical costs and general anesthesia.
The PolypVac has been in use in Canada for over a year but recently gained FDA approval in the US. Laurimed is in the process of distributing the device to doctors for its use. California Sinus Centers has been (successfully) using the tool since February of this year (2014) to treat patients affected with certain types of polyps. Patients report that their symptoms have diminished greatly and they can return to going about their daily lives. The first surgeon in the US to use the device was Dr. David W. Clark, a Cal Sinus trained surgeon now practicing in Temple, Tx.
Schedule a PolypVac Consultation in the Bay Area Today!
If you have reoccurring symptoms of nasal polyps, contact California Sinus Center to speak with our ENT specialists and discuss the benefits of an endoscopic shaver. To visit our ENT centers throughout San Francisco, Palo Alto, and San Jose, view our locations and call today!
Call California Sinus Centers for more information or to schedule an appointment.