Publication:

Modified transnasal endoscopic repair of bilateral choanal atresia with pulmonary atresia

Congenital choanal atresia is due to failure in the development of communication between the nasal cavity and nasopharynx in newborns. This condition is life threatening when it is bilateral and causes severe respiratory distress immediately after birth as children are obligatory nose breathers. We present a one day old child who presented to us with severe respiratory distress, which we diagnosed as choanal atresia. The child also had tertology of fallot with pulmonary atresia and had to be intubated as oxygen saturation was not adequate. Surgery was undertaken on emergency basis on day one of life which helped in extubation of the child. This case highlights the importance of prompt diagnosis of a case bilateral choanal atresia, and also the importance of early surgery which can lead to significant improvement.