[Endonasal surgery in the management of choanal atresia]

ABSTRACT

To assess results after surgical management of choanalatresia in order to determine indications and advantages of endonasal surgery. We carry a retrospective study about 25 patients having choanal atresia treated in our department between 1987 and 2005. All patients had had nasal endoscopy and sinonasal CT. Treatment was surgical in all cases. Three surgical techniques were performed. Postoperative follow-up was endoscopic with a mean period of 4 years. Atresia was unilateral in 21 patients and bilateral in 4 neonates. After emergently putting of a Mayo cannula and endoscopic control, divulsion was performed in the 4 bilateral forms. For unilateral atresias, transpalatal approach was performed in 4 cases and endonasal approach in 17 cases. Fibrous restenosis occurred in 6 cases. It happened in 3 children operated by endonasal approach, in 2 operated by transpalatal approach and in one that underwent divulsion. All revision surgeries were performed by endonasal approach using the laser diode. Thus, a definitive repermeabilisation of malformed choana was achieved for all cases. Endonasal surgery is now the treatment of choice of choanal atresia, with a high success rate and minimal risks of complications