The utility of balloon dilation for piriform aperture stenosis – A first line surgical treatment

Describe the long-term outcomes of patients with piriform aperture stenosis managed with balloon dilation. Review of current literature. A retrospective case series of 6 patients with piriform aperture stenosis initially managed with balloon dilation at a tertiary paediatric hospital. Six neonates diagnosed with piriform aperture were managed with balloon dilation under general anaesthesia after failing conservative treatment. Average age at first dilation was 28 days old (range 6–54). The piriform aperture was an average width of 5.15 mm, with a 4–6.5 mm range, as measured on axial CT scan. The average width at 25% of the nasal cavity, 50% and 75% was 7.7 mm, 9.3 mm and 9.98 mm respectively. Four neonates required only a single balloon dilation – two of these were stented post-operatively. The remaining two neonates required multiple balloon dilations with eventual drill-out through a sublabial approach. There was a trend of smaller piriform and nasal cavity diameters in those who required multiple procedures. The mean follow-up was 30 months. Balloon dilation should be considered for primary operative management in neonates with piriform aperture stenosis who fail medical interventions. Balloon dilation can treat the narrowing at and beyond the piriform aperture. Patients who require more than one dilation are more likely to have a smaller piriform aperture and may need a drill-out procedure. The impact of nasal stents on outcomes is unclear.