A Case of Congenital Bilateral Choanal Atresia

Choi, S J; Kim, M C; Koh, S S; Hong, M; Park, D J; Kim, D J

Abstract

Newborn infant under 3~4 weeks absolutely breathe nasally, and obstructive lesion in nasal cavity of pharynx can cause total airway obstruction. Choanal atresia is the congenital failure of one or both posterior nasal apertures to communicate with the nasopharynx. Because congenital choanal atresia in newborn carries a high risk of brain damage due to hypoxia and aspiration, immediate diagnosis and proper management is essential. Primarily in the delivery room, temporal measurements such as inserting an oral airway or a gavage tube are usually sufficient to establish satisfactory respiration. The authors have experieced a case of congenital bilateral choanal atresia associated with congenital heart disease in neonate with good result by immediate diagnosis and management.