Treatment of bilateral choanal atresia in the premature infant

Abstract

An innovative technique for choanal atresia repair was used for a unique case of bilateral choanal atresia in a 28-week premature newborn. Endoscopic transnasal KTP laser was employed as an alternative to standard instrumentation to reach the very small atretic plate of a premature nose, providing good visualization of the operative field, thereby avoiding damage to the adjacent structures. The successful repair allowed for early extubation and avoidance of a tracheotomy. The clinical and surgical aspects of the case are discussed. With the likelihood of encountering more premature infants with choanal atresia given the improving neonatal intensive care, we propose that KTP laser repair be considered as an alternative to conventional procedures for this particular population.