title: [Symptoms and treatment of choanal atresia--stenting remains controversial].
abstract: Congenital choanal atresia is a rare malformation of the upper airways occurring sole or within the scope of syndromes. The controversy regarding standardized surgical approach and optimal technique preventing re-stenosis as well as the proceeding in case of a unilateral malformation persists. To address these issues, a retrospective analysis of patients presenting with choanal atresia in our department within the last 10 years was performed. 15 infants aged 3 days to 13 years (mean 42 months) who presented with unilateral (10 cases) and bilateral (5 cases) choanal atresia underwent surgical repair. 4 patients failed previous surgeries. All interventions were performed in transnasal endoscopic technique. 7 patients were intraoperatively stented for 6 weeks, 4 patients for 1 week. In 73% (11 out of 15 children) further congenital anomalies were identified. In 7 cases a re-stenosis requiring treatment occurred, predominantly in long-term stented patients. No intra- or postoperative hemorrhages or infections occurred. To provide an adequate work-up of affected patient including a screening for further congenital anomalies, a multidisciplinary approach is required. Endonasal endoscopic approach represents a safe technique for surgical repair of choanal atresia. The indication for surgical repair in case of a unilateral atresia is based on the severity of clinical symptoms. The use of stents, especially of long term, remains controversial and needs further evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. miriam.havel@med.unimuenchen.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Havel
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nicolai
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Betz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berghaus
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leunig
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D058747:CHARGE Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002754:Choanal Atresia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D019465:Craniofacial Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D015607:Stents; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed