Endoscopic trans-septal choanoplasty for congenital choanal atresia

ABSTRACT

To describe endoscopic trans-septal approach for treatment of choanal atresia. Prospective case series in a tertiary care center. Seventeen patients [7 with bilateral and 10 with unilateral choanal atresia] underwent trans-septal endoscopic choanoplasty. Removal of the vomer and shaving of the medial pterygoid plate were achieved by a small chisel with the use of a 4-mm 0 degree telescope. Nasal stents were not used following creation of the neochoanae. All cases were examined with the endoscopes 4 weeks postoperatively and any granulations or polyps at the site of the neochoanae were removed at that time. One year postoperatively, 16 [out of 17] patients had patent neochoanae. Granulation tissues were encountered in three cases and successfully managed on routine endoscopic examination. Endoscopic trans-septal approach is a direct, wide and safe one day surgery for repair of choanal atresia