Forty-one cases of congenital choanal atresia over 26 years - : retrospective analysis of outcome and technique

This retrospective analysis reflects the outcome of various techniques used in a series of 41 cases of choanal atresia treated at the Department of Otoloaryngology, Head- and Neck Surgery at the University of Mainz between 1980 and 2006. Thirteen bilateral and 28 unilateral cases are included. After endonasal management in 38 and a transpalatine approach in 3 cases a total of 15 patients needed revision surgery between 1 and 5 times to establish a stable result. Postoperative stenting was used in 23 patients with a failure rate of 35%, whereas only 11% of the 18 patients without stenting had to be revised. None of those 5 cases where Mitomycin C had been applied intraoperatively in combination with postoperative transnasal dilations needed surgical revision. We conclude that the endonasal micro-endoscopic surgical approach is successful if combined with postoperative dilations for up to one year. Stenting should be abandoned as it stimulates granulation formation that frequently leads to restenosis. The intraoperative application of Mitomycin C offers a promising adjunct in achieving a stable result.