Practical management of congenital choanal atresia

Prevailing theories on the causation of choanal atresia are presented, with emphasis on some of the embryologic and anatomic abnormalities that are consistently found. The teleologic significance of nose breathing has been emphasized. This neonatal characteristic leads to a tongue-palate seal that can be rapidly fatal. Treatment of these patients has been divided into two phases. Phase I deals with immediate establishment of an airway, and phase II deals with the definitive surgical management in these patients. Our preference is for the transpalatine approach. Representative cases highlight our technique. A wire-reinforced double-barreled Elastomer stent has been developed and is described. Successful use in five patients is reported.