Stentless endoscopic transnasal repair of bilateral choanal atresia starting with resection of vomer

ObjectivesTo assess the results of a transnasal endoscopic repair of congenital choanal atresia beginning by resection of the posterior portion of the vomer and ending by no stent.MethodsSeven patients with bilateral congenital choanal atresia aged ranging from 3 to 15 days were operated upon between June 2009 and September 2011. This transnasal endoscopic approach allowed resection of the posterior portion of the vomer first then the atretic plates and part of the medial pterygoid plate if needed leaving no stent. Postoperative control included office fiberoptic nasal endoscopy.ResultsAdequate functional nasal breathing was maintained in all patients during follow up of 11 to 23 months. Apart from one case that complicated by palatal defect, no any other complications were detected.ConclusionThe described technique was proved to be very effective, allowing fast recovery, and one step surgery with early discharge from hospital using neither stents nor nasal packing. Good patency with no reduction in functional quality was also observed.