Endoscopic endonasal emergency management of bilateral choanal atresia in new borns

The advent of the rigid paediatric nasal endoscope has revolutionized the management of congenital choanal atresia. This endoscopic endonasal approach is considered as a simple, safe and reliable procedure. Also, definitive surgery for choanal atresia has been quite a challenge especially regarding the fulfillment of two important objectives- complete removal of the atretic plate and assurance of wide long-term patency of the posterior nares. Several approaches to the posterior nares have been described in the past. These include: the transpalatal (English, 1981 and Owens,196S), transnasal (Singhl990 and Singh 1991), transseptal and transantral (Hall et al 1982 and Osquthorpe et al 1982) approaches. However, endoscopie endonasal surgery for choanal atresia is found to be better due to the simplicity of the surgery, better access and lesser morbidity. The objective of this presentation is to encourage the use of the rigid nasoendoscope in the management of cases of bilateral choanal atresia of the newborn.