The authors present a review of literature on present knowledge and opinions concerning the treatment of inverted papilloma. Inverted papilloma (IP) is a relatively rare tumor of the nose and paranasal sinuses. Although it is a benign tumor from histological point of view, its specific properties (local aggressiveness, inclination to relapses, multifocal occurrence and association with spinocellular cancer) result in controversies especially as far as the therapeutic procedure is concerned. IP typically originates in lateral wall of the nose (most frequently from middle nasal passage and spreads out into the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. It diplays a locally aggressive behavior and often causes destruction of skeleton. It spreads into the eye socket or intracranially rather rarely, though. The most frequent symptom of IP is a unilateral nasal obstruction. In the course of years there have been changing opinions on the selection of surgical approach to treatment of inverted papilloma. Most authors in previous decades defended the external approach. In the last years, many authors have given preference to the use of more conservative methods including endoscopic approach.

        Key words: inverted papilloma, surgical therapy, endoscopic and external approach.