Transnasal endoscopic repair of congenital choanal atresia: long-term results

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the short- and long-term success of the repair of congenital choanal atresia using the transnasal endoscopic approach with and without power instruments.

Design and setting: Retrospective case series in a tertiary care center.

Patients: Fifteen patients with either unilateral or bilateral congenital choanal atresia were treated using the transnasal endoscopic approach. Postoperative stenting was used in all 15 patients.

Interventions: The senior surgeon (C.W.G.) currently uses the transnasal endoscopic drill-out technique. We describe our experience and long-term follow-up of 15 patients (9 with unilateral atresia, 5 with bilateral atresia, and 1 with unilateral stenosis) who were treated with the use of the transnasal endoscopic technique during a 7-year period. In 8 patients, the transnasal endoscopic technique was performed using conventional biting instruments, and in 7 patients, the transnasal endoscopic technique with power instruments was used.

Main outcome measure: The patency of the surgical repair of congenital choanal atresia by the transnasal endoscopic approach.

Results: Of 14 patient procedures, 12 remained patent. One patient required minor debridement of granulation tissue 1 week following stent removal, and 1 patient required surgical transnasal revision 2 months after the primary procedure, with a patent result after the second procedure. Despite patent choanae being achieved, 1 patient died of cardiac anomalies 8 months after the atresia repair.

Conclusions: The transnasal endoscopic route offers excellent visualization of the posterior choana and, hence, the ability to open the defect widely with a high surgical success rate. Newer powered instrumentation further enhances the ability to perform this technique cleanly.