Endoscopic Transnasal Repair of Bilateral Choanal Atresia in Neonates: Our Experience

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Congenital choanal atresia is the developmentalfailure of the nasal cavity to communicate with nasopharynx.The newborn baby presents with intermittent attacks ofcyanosis and respiratory distress soon after birth. Inabilityto pass nasal catheters in both the nares reveals the diagnosisof bilateral Choanal Atresia. Study aimed to present ourexperience with a endoscopic approach for transnasal repairof choanal atresia.Material and Methods: Seven patients with mean age 7 dayswith bilateral choanal atresia,underwent endoscopic repairusing a mucoperichondrial flap from the nasal septum. Thebony stenosis was opened with a surgical curette or drill, andthe raw surface was covered by the flap.Results: A total of 7 choanae were operated. With meanfollow-up 27 months. Out of seven patients operated by us,five patient survived with a patent choana.We had two deaths,one patient expired during the procedure due to bleeding andone patient expired three hour after the procedure due to CCF.Conclusion: Endoscopic repair of choanal atresia is a safe andrapid procedure.