AN EXPERIENCE WITH CHOANAL ATRESIA

Abstract

Choana is derived from a Greek work meaning a funnel. The choanae are, by definition, the posterior apertures of the nose. Roederer first described atresia of the choanae in 1775 [1]. It is one of the more commonly observed congenital anomalies of the nose. The average rate of choanal atresia is .82 cases per 10,000 live births. Unilateral atresia occurs more frequently on the right side and rates of unilateral to bilateral is 2:1. A slightly increased risk exists in twins. It occurs in equal frequency in people of all races and females are affected more than males. A number of theories have been proposed to explain the occurrence of choanal atresia which are persistence of buccopharyngeal membrane, failure of bucconasal membrane of Hochstetter to rupture, medial outgrowth of vertical and horizontal processes of palatine bone, abnormal mesodermal adhesions forming in the choanal area and misdirection of mesodermal floor due to local factors [2]. In bilateral choanal atresia cases, complete nasal obstruction in newborn may cause death due to asphyxia [3].