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Bilateral Choanal Atresia: Is it Really a Surgical Emergency?

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Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

To review the need of emergency recanalization surgical procedure in cases of bilateral choanal atresia. A retrospective analysis was undertaken for the cases of bilateral choanal atresia which were recanalized between January 2000 and February 2010 in a teaching hospital. Out of 135,954 live births (0.004%), six cases of bilateral choanal atresia were diagnosed and operated during this period. Five cases were hospital deliveries from our hospital whereas one case was referred from another hospital. Three cases were recanalized with dilatation procedure whereas the other three were endoscopically recanalized with micro-drill. All the cases were operated in routine operation theatre. All were managed with orogastric tube or oropharyngeal airway during the waiting period for surgery. No neonate required emergency intubation or tracheostomy. The average age at the time of surgery was 10 days (range 5–21 days). As per our observations recanalization surgery for bilateral choanal atresia is not a surgical emergency. Neonates can be managed temporarily with orogastric tube/oropharyngeal airway during waiting period. Subsequently surgery can be done in routine and unhurried operation theater by experienced surgical hands thus minimizing the morbidity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of ENT and Head & Neck Surgery, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, 110001, India

    Sunil Kumar, Sachin Gupta, Shakuntala Naglot & J. K. Sahni

  2. A-602 Harmony Apartments, Plot-6B, Sector-23, Dwarka, New Delhi, 110075, India

    Sunil Kumar

Authors
  1. Sunil Kumar
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  2. Sachin Gupta
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  3. Shakuntala Naglot
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  4. J. K. Sahni
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Correspondence to Shakuntala Naglot.

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Kumar, S., Gupta, S., Naglot, S. et al. Bilateral Choanal Atresia: Is it Really a Surgical Emergency?. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 65 (Suppl 2), 205–209 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-011-0304-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-011-0304-9

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