Choanal atresia in premature dizygotic twins--a transnasal approach with Holmium:YAG-laser

Abstract

Twins born prematurely presented with choanal atresia and were successfully treated using a transnasal, endoscopically and microscopically controlled Ho:YAG-Laser assisted technique. One twin, who had bilateral choanal atresia was operated immediately, the other one, with unilateral choanal atresia, received surgery 8 months after birth. The rare feature of twins both suffering from choanal atresia and a technique for definitive treatment of this disease in premature neonates are presented and discussed. This report of dizygotic twins with nonsyndromal choanal atresia suggests the possibility of an autosomal recessive inheritance with various penetration or an undefined teratogenic etiologic factor.