Treatment of a recurrent choanal atresia by balloon dilatation.

A 16-year-old female patient with recurrent stenosis after unilateral choanal atresia that had been treated by surgery and laser therapy presented with restenosis 3 weeks after laser resection. As an alternative to repeat surgery, she was treated by balloon dilatation. Four balloon dilatations were performed (three at 4-week intervals and the last after an 8-week interval) over a 4-month period on an outpatient basis. She tolerated the treatment well without any complications. Over a follow-up period of 2 years the choana has remained completely open. The balloon dilatation described in this context here for the first time may be a good alternative to repeated operations in the treatment of recurrent choanal atresia, with minimal stress to the patient.