Anesthesia management in patients with choanal atresia

In this retrospective study, we reviewed the anesthesia management of patients with choanal atresia (CA). Fourteen patients undergoing surgery for CA between June 2007 and September 2018 were evaluated for age, gender, CA side, complications, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, duration of anesthesia, and presence of any additional anomalies. Six patients (42%) had bilateral atresia, and 8 (58%) had unilateral atresia. Various congenital anomalies were present in 50% of patients with bilateral atresia. Three patients were intubated with a C-MAC D pediatric blade because their Cormack-Lehane grade was 3 or 4. Though sevoflurane was used for all patients, total intravenous anesthesia was used for two patients with unilateral atresia. All patients were followed postoperatively while intubated except one patient with bilateral atresia. There was no need for postoperative intubation of any patients with unilateral atresia. In conclusion, clinicians should be aware of perioperative and postoperative complications in patients with CA, bilateral atresia, and accompanying congenital anomalies in the neonatal period. Total intravenous anesthesia can be chosen instead of inhalation anesthesia in appropriate cases, but sevoflurane can be used safely in the induction of anesthesia.