Congenital choanal atresia. Anatomic, physiological, and therapeutic aspects, especially the endonasal approach under endoscopic vision.

In four cases of congenital bilateral choanal atresia, endonasal perforation using a modified surgical technique was employed with satisfactory results. In each patient, a polyethylene tube was inserted into the nasal cavity and left in place for varying lengths of time; a period of three months is recommended. This calls attention to a lenient, safe, and relatively easy operative technique that can be applied as soon as the anomaly is detected. By this technique, sufficient nasal respiration, which is of vital importance to the newborn, can be established.