The use of nasal stent for choanal atresia.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the role of the use of nasal stent (NS) on the outcome of choanal atresia (CA) surgeries, as well as the effect on the age at the time of surgery.

METHODS

The study involved a retrospective review of the files of the case with the diagnosis of congenital CA that were surgically managed at King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital between January 1999 and June 2005. The review included: the age, gender, associated congenital anomalies, surgical intervention, and use of nasal stent (NS). A comparative study was carried out between the outcome of the cases who received NS, and those who did not.

RESULTS

A total of 31 cases with the diagnosis of CA comprised our study group. Thirteen of the cases received NS and 18 did not. Generally, the use of NS for CA surgery resulted in poor outcome. Seventy-five percent of the unilateral cases with no-NS had successful outcome compared to 13% of those who received NS (p=0.00988). On the other hand, only 33% of the bilateral cases with no-NS had a successful outcome compared to 60% of those who received NS (p=0.3917).

CONCLUSION

NS mandates an increased medical care. Its use in unilateral CA was associated with poor outcome. Based on our findings, it is recommended not to use NS in unilateral CA, as well as to postpone the surgical intervention, if possible, until the child is one year old or more.